How to Address a Foreign Ambassador

How to Address a Foreign Ambassador

See Notes #1) and #2) below for additional detail.

—–Envelope or address block on letter or email:
———-His/Her Excellency
—–—–(Full Name)
—–—–The Ambassador of (Official Name of Country)
—–—–(Address)

———-—–Which looks like:
——————–His Excellency
——————–Jean-Arthur Régibeau
——————–The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium
——————–(Address)

 

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

—–If the ambassador has a special honorific or rank:
—–—–His/Her Excellency

—–—–(Dr./Professor/Sir/etc.) (Full Name)
—–—–The Ambassador of (Official Name of Country)
—–—–(Address) How to Address a Foreign Ambassador

———-—–Which looks like:
——————–Her Excellency
——————–Dr. Ute Konig
——————–The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
——————–(Address)

—–Letter salutation: How to Address a Foreign Ambassador
—–
—–Your Excellency: 

—–—–Dear Ambassador:
—–—–Dear Ambassador (Surname):

—–Conversation: How to Address a Foreign Ambassador
—–
—–Your Excellency

—–—–Ambassador
—–—–Ambassador (Surname)

Note #1) These are the correct forms of address for a currently accredited ambassador: e.g., the current ambassador from country A to country B.  It is the standard form used around the world to address a currently accredited ambassador representing one chief-of-state to another chief-of-state. This type of ambassador is an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. 

Note #2) If you are a U.S. citizen addressing a U.S. Ambassador, see that form.  How to Address a Foreign Ambassador

 

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?

You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.)  The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.

Not Finding Your Answer?

—-#1)  At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.

—-#2)  If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.)  Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.

—-#3)  If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question  – but always change all the specifics.

— Robert Hickey 

 

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”