I saw in The New York Times a reference to Jeane de France, Duc de Vendomeof the French Royal Dynasty. In your book I don’t see a section on French Royalty. What form would one use for this gentleman?
— Bill Taylor
Dear Mr. Taylor:
In my book I cover forms of address for current royalty and nobility, but not former royalty or noblity.
In the United Kingdom there is a royal family — so the nobles — dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, barons, etc. — are still officially addressed by their noble titles. Same is true in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Japan and other countries where the head of state is a hereditary monarch. I do provide forms for all these. But my book is already 576 pages, and I decided it made no sense to include, for example,of how to address the Czar, when there wasn’t a Czar to address!
In republics — such as France — nobility no longer officially exists. So Jean de France would be the Duc of Vendome if nobility had not been abolished at the end of the French Revolution. Today friends and social acquaintances address him as aduc as a courtesy and to honor him and his family. But in an official situation in English situation he would be a Mr. de France.
That said, if you want to address him as a duc — use the form I provide for a duke. It’s O.K. to use the British form when addressing a foreign noble in English. They will just fine with that.
– Robert Hickey www.formsofaddress.info
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