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Official titles and styles - the governor-general and spouse
Merrick Needham
Friday, June 19, 2009
Just over a week ago, King's House issued a release advising on exactly how our new governor-general should be styled following Sir Patrick Allen's recent knighthood. The following additional details, I hope, will also be helpful to readers.
Formal
(i): His Excellency The Governor-General
(ii): His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD
Verbal: His/Your Excellency
Semi-formal and verbal: (The) Governor-General
Informal and verbal: (for senior colleagues and personal friends)
Sir Patrick
Other than at the start of a sentence, the prefix 'the', in formal usage, is correctly shown with a capital T only before 'Governor-General' (and, of course, The Queen, and certain other specified members of the Royal Family). This rule does not apply otherwise, as in the case of 'His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir .'.
His Excellency, in accord with standard international procedure, omits the prefix 'Dr'. In letters after the name, PhD and MA would only be optionally shown if, for example, speaking at an academic symposium. In such an instance, these letters follow those of all State and
Crown Honours.
Wife of the Governor-General
Formal (i): Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Allen
Verbal (ii): Her/Your Excellency
Semi-formal and verbal
(i): Lady Allen (NOT 'Lady Patricia Allen', as this would indicate the daughter of a (British) duke, marquess or earl).
May I also refer to the letter from Mary Chambers, headed, 'Who is the First Lady?', and published in both morning newspapers on May 26 and 27 respectively. The subsequent release from the new Chief of State Protocol, Ambassador Elinor Sherlock, advising that 'In Jamaica the term First Lady has traditionally never been used officially' succinctly answers Ms Chambers' question, a most understandable one in light of recent confused and incorrect use of the term.
However, might I expand on the ambassador's response, as perhaps only someone outside official circles could do.
The United States phrase 'First Lady' has traditionally not been used, officially or otherwise, in respect of the wives of Jamaican governors-general. Also, as it obviously would relate implicitly and only to the most senior official lady, it could therefore arguably be restricted even to The Queen (of Jamaica).
<span style="font-weight: bold">The increasing tendency in Jamaica for male mayors as well as pastors to use the term 'First Lady' to indicate their wives <span style="font-style: italic">is nothing short of pompous and ridiculous</span></span>.
<span style="font-style: italic">Merrick Needham is a logistics and protocol consultant.</span>
Merrick Needham
Friday, June 19, 2009
Just over a week ago, King's House issued a release advising on exactly how our new governor-general should be styled following Sir Patrick Allen's recent knighthood. The following additional details, I hope, will also be helpful to readers.
Formal
(i): His Excellency The Governor-General
(ii): His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD
Verbal: His/Your Excellency
Semi-formal and verbal: (The) Governor-General
Informal and verbal: (for senior colleagues and personal friends)
Sir Patrick
Other than at the start of a sentence, the prefix 'the', in formal usage, is correctly shown with a capital T only before 'Governor-General' (and, of course, The Queen, and certain other specified members of the Royal Family). This rule does not apply otherwise, as in the case of 'His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir .'.
His Excellency, in accord with standard international procedure, omits the prefix 'Dr'. In letters after the name, PhD and MA would only be optionally shown if, for example, speaking at an academic symposium. In such an instance, these letters follow those of all State and
Crown Honours.
Wife of the Governor-General
Formal (i): Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Allen
Verbal (ii): Her/Your Excellency
Semi-formal and verbal
(i): Lady Allen (NOT 'Lady Patricia Allen', as this would indicate the daughter of a (British) duke, marquess or earl).
May I also refer to the letter from Mary Chambers, headed, 'Who is the First Lady?', and published in both morning newspapers on May 26 and 27 respectively. The subsequent release from the new Chief of State Protocol, Ambassador Elinor Sherlock, advising that 'In Jamaica the term First Lady has traditionally never been used officially' succinctly answers Ms Chambers' question, a most understandable one in light of recent confused and incorrect use of the term.
However, might I expand on the ambassador's response, as perhaps only someone outside official circles could do.
The United States phrase 'First Lady' has traditionally not been used, officially or otherwise, in respect of the wives of Jamaican governors-general. Also, as it obviously would relate implicitly and only to the most senior official lady, it could therefore arguably be restricted even to The Queen (of Jamaica).
<span style="font-weight: bold">The increasing tendency in Jamaica for male mayors as well as pastors to use the term 'First Lady' to indicate their wives <span style="font-style: italic">is nothing short of pompous and ridiculous</span></span>.
<span style="font-style: italic">Merrick Needham is a logistics and protocol consultant.</span>
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