How to Address a Foreign Ambassador
How to Address a Foreign Ambassador
SeeNotes #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 anAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
Note #2) If you are aU.S. citizen addressing aU.S. Ambassador, seethat form. How to Address a Foreign Ambassador
See Specific Ambassadors:
———U.S. Ambassador by a U.S. Citizen
———U.S. Career Ambassador Retired
———U.S. Ambassador, Retired Foreign Service
———U.S. Ambassador, former, political appointee
———U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom
———Goodwill Ambassador
———Foreign Ambassador
—
See Other Diplomats:
———Attaché
———Chargé d’Affaires
———Consul
———Consul General
———Consul Honorary
———Counselor
———Deputy Chief of Mission
———First Secretary
———Second Secretary
———Third Secretary
Ab
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 aletter, invitation, card orEmail.(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 use when you say their name in conversation or when yougreet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site aremany thingsI 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 acopy of the book if you’d like the further detail.
Not Finding Your Answer?
—-#1)At right ondesktops,at the bottom of every pageontablets andphones, 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 answeredsend 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”
Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see theProtocol Resources page.
