Viscount | Viscountess

How to Address a Viscount or Viscountess

Examples:
—-The Viscount Astor
—-The Viscount Colville of Culross

NOTE: When a viscountcy’s name has the compound form ‘(name one) of (name two)’, use the viscountcy’s name in the following way: When (complete name) is called for, use (name one) of (name two), when (name) is called for, use only (name one).

For example, Viscount Colville of Culross is addressed as Lord Colville in conversation. The given name of the titled person is never used.

—-Envelope or address block on an official letter or email:
—-—-The Right Hon.
—-—-The Viscount (complete name)
—-—-(Address)

—-—-The Right Hon.
—-—-The Viscountess (complete name)
—-—-(Address)

—-—-The Right Hon.
—-—-The Viscount and Viscountess (complete name)
—-—-(Address)

—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Dear Lord (name):
—-—-Dear Lady (name):

Example:

—-Envelope or address block on letter or email:
—-—-The Right Hon.
—-—-The Viscount Falmouth
—-—-(Address)

——–Salutation:
——–—-Dear Lord Falmouth:

—-Envelope or address block on letter or email:
—-—-The Right Hon.
—-—-The Viscount Colville of Culross
—-—-(Address)

——–Salutation:
——–—-Dear Lord Colville:

– Robert Hickey How to Address a Viscount or Viscountess How to Address a Viscount or Viscountess

See these Related Posts:
—-King/Queen
—-Duke/Duchess
—-Marquess/Marchioness
—-Earl/Countess
—-Viscount/Viscountess
—-Baron/Baroness
—-Knight/Dame—-Noble Titles: Social Use Only

 

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

How to Address a Dowager?

Duchess, Marchioness, Countess, Viscountess or Baroness

_________

Dowager

Does one address a Dowager as one would the nobleman’s wife? I am a minister and have a Dowager in my parish. Do you think Duchess (first name) or Dear Duchess of (Somewhere), more suitable? How to address a dowager?
— D.W.

Dear D.W.
British style guides suggest in oral conversation with a duchess you use: Your Grace
—-—-In a salutation: Dear Duchess:

The style guides further suggest in oral conversation with a marchioness, countess, viscountess or baroness you use: Lady (Name):  where (Name) is the name of the marquessate, earldom, viscountcy, or barony.
—-—-In a salutation with a marchioness: My Madam: or Dear Lady:
—-—-With a countess, viscountess or baroness: Dear Lady:

But there is a difference is how one ‘describes’ the d0wager or addresses the dowager in writing.  This is determined by how the individual dowager styles herself.

In writing – on an envelope or in full introduction – style books present two ways. These formulas works for duchess, marchioness, countess, viscountess and baroness:

Formula #1 …. The Dowager (Full Title)
—-—-Example: The Dowager Duchess (of Place)

—-Formula #2 …. (Name), (Complete name of rank)
—-—-Example: Mary, Duchess (of Place)
—-—-—-Which is the form the dowager Duchess of Devonshire who died in 2014 used:
—-—-—-—-Deborah Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire

To be certain which formula this dowager prefers, see if she has a personal secretary who can advise which style the individual prefers.

— Robert Hickey  How to address a dowager?

See these Related Posts:
—-King/Queen
—-Duke/Duchess
—-Marquess/Marchioness
—-Earl/Countess
—-Viscount/Viscountess
—-Baron/Baroness
—-Knight/Dame—-Noble Titles: Social Use Only

 

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”