Guide on How to Properly Address the Prime Minister

The prime minister serves as the head of state in a parliamentary government, ranking just below the ruling monarch in terms of executive influence. When preparing for a face-to-face meeting with a prime minister, it can be helpful to know the right way to address them. Refer to an acting prime minister within their home country as simply, “Prime Minister,” followed by their surname if you want to add a touch of formality. If you’re addressing a foreign prime minister, use the honorific, “Your Excellency” instead to acknowledge their political stature where they come from.

Initiate by acknowledging the title of “Prime Minister.” Beginning your conversation with a verbal recognition of the official’s position is a gesture of respect. Following this, you can proceed with your statement or query, or opt to include the individual’s surname for a more formal approach.

• The usage of terms like “Mr./Madam/Ms. Prime Minister” may or may not be acceptable depending on your location. While commonwealth nations often employ this practice, it is generally discouraged in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Advice: When in doubt about using a prefix, it's best to adhere to the customary practices of your locality.

• Similarly, in conversation with others, you would refer to them as “His/Her Excellency.”
• “Your Excellency” also helps avoid confusion when the official is visiting a country with its own prime minister.

• There's no necessity to use their first name. Addressing them as “Prime Minister Theresa May” in a personal setting can seem awkward and unnatural.
• After the initial show of respect, it might be acceptable to switch to a more casual mode of address, like “Ms. Spencer.”

• Be cautious not to mistakenly use the prime minister's first name when discussing them with others. Instead of saying, “Theodore and I were just discussing the issue of misappropriate funds,” it's more appropriate to say, “Prime Minister Huxley and I…”

• An example of a completed address on the envelope would be: “The Honourable William Clay, M.P/Prime Minister of Australia.”
• If the official holds any additional post-nominal identifiers, like a provincial designation such as “B.C.” ( “British Columbia”), make sure to include them immediately after “M.P.”

Advice: Opt for the more traditional phrase, “The Right Honourable” when mentioning the prime minister of the U.K. or Canada specifically.

• Avoid attempting to embellish the greeting. Start with the same one you would utilize for any other formal letter, namely “Dear.”
• You also have the choice to omit a greeting entirely by simply stating, “Prime Minister” or, “Prime Minister Bentley.”

• “His/Her Excellency” conforms to the proper grammatical format for the envelope exterior, as opposed to “Your Excellency,” which should only be used when addressing the official directly.

• Sign your letter with your full name, along with any pertinent titles related to your purpose for writing.
• Similar to your greeting, refrain from overly elaborate closings. A straightforward and respectful tone usually works best.

• Adhere to the same principles you would employ when drafting a formal email.
• Whenever corresponding with a person of high rank, ensure your handwriting is clear and the language you use is appropriate for the context of your message.

• Although using an incorrect form of address isn't punishable, it may be seen as a social blunder and isn't the ideal way to establish a favorable impression.