UK Honours List - a bit OT

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Wow, but thanks! Seems like your last paragraph tells it best and I shall remember it.

It occurs to me that a number of people probably make a very good living keeping all this sorted and informing outsiders of decorum, style, protocols and forms of address. (Also, probably very common knowledge for every UK school kid.)

As a side note, a friend of mine, now contracted to the royal military as an instructor, encountered at least one, possibly both, of the Princes a year or so ago in the normal course of his duties. If I recall, he/they were referred to as Lieutenant (Leftenant) Wales. Sound right?

Thank you again for the corrected information.

Yes, your friend is correct. Princes William and Harry are both styled "of Wales" (HRH Prince William of Wales) as their father is the Prince of Wales.

As far as this sort of thing being "very common knowledge for every UK school kid" I'd venture to say that the average person really has very little knowledge about these things, unless they regularly bump up against royals as part of their day-to-day existence. And no, no one makes a good living out of knowing this sort of thing. The people who really keep track of these arcane matters are Heralds, and the primary requirement to be a Herald is a private income!

[piperdbh]

Is there protocol on whether to use the initials when signing one's name, or is it like Mac of Rath says, "...modesty forbids..."?

[Lallans]

Is there protocol on whether to use the initials when signing one's name, or is it like Mac of Rath says, "...modesty forbids..."?

As in say HMS Sheffield?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Generally speaking persons who have a title use that title as their signature. For example HRH Prince William would sign as "William of Wales"; Merlin Hay, Earl of Erroll, would sign as either "Merlin Erroll" or simply "Erroll". MacMillan of Rathdown merely places a large X in the appropriate spot and waits for someone to come along and notarize it as "his mark"...

[CameronCat]

MacMillan of Rathdown merely places a large X in the appropriate spot and waits for someone to come along and notarize it as "his mark"...

Hee-hee!

[piperdbh]

But suppose Her Majesty decided that I were worthy of honoring and made a Member of the British Empire. Would I refer to myself as "piperdbh, MBE", or would that be considered bad form?
I had a few professors in college who would refer to themselves as "Dr. So-and-So", and smart-alecky students like me always thought it was a bit pretentious.

[Downunder Kilt]

It is my belief that as an American you may have a British honour bestowed upon you, but it is in a honorary capacity and you are not able to use post nominals associated with the honour

[macwilkin]

But suppose Her Majesty decided that I were worthy of honoring and made a Member of the British Empire. Would I refer to myself as "piperdbh, MBE", or would that be considered bad form?
I had a few professors in college who would refer to themselves as "Dr. So-and-So", and smart-alecky students like me always thought it was a bit pretentious.

Why is it pretentious? If they earned the title, then they should use it. Whenever students call me "Doctor", I always thank them for the promotion, but then diplomatically inform them that as a holder of a MA, I am only entitled to "Mister".

T.

[piperdbh]

Why is it pretentious? If they earned the title, then they should use it. Whenever students call me "Doctor", I always thank them for the promotion, but then diplomatically inform them that as a holder of a MA, I am only entitled to "Mister".

T.

I always referred to my professors by their titles. We had a husband-and-wife team of professors who would refer to each other as "Professor" and "Doctor", which some of us thought was sort of uppity.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Generally speaking post-nominals, such as OBE, MBE, GCMG, etc. are not used as part of the signature.

The usual form would be:

(signed) Peter Peel

(printed on a card or letter paper) Peter Peel, OBE
(if in the armed forces then) General Sir Peter Peel, GCMG
(if the son of a Peer then) Hon. Peter Peel, CBE