Governor General Sir Patrick Allen - 2009 Merrick Needham, Contributor

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 your readers.

GOVERNOR GENERAL

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 & crown honours.

WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL

Patricia Allen, wife of the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

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). The increasing tendency in Jamaica for male mayors as well as pastors to use the term 'First Lady' to indicate their wives is nothing short of pompous and ridiculous.

Merrick Needham is a logistics & protocol consultant.

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Needham

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