How do you address a letter to a knight of the realm?

Colossal Squid

Returning video tapes

Feb 11, 2010

4,906

Under the sea

• Apr 23, 2010

• #1

Say you were writing to Sir David Frost, would you write Dear Sir Frost?

That doesn't sound right, so what about Dear Sir David?

Sounds a bit too informal for someone you've never met.

But then you can't just go for Dear Mr Frost as it's disrespectfully ignoring his privileged title.

So what is the accepted way to do this? I'm really struggling

 

D

Don Quixote

Well-known member

Nov 4, 2008

8,355

• Apr 23, 2010

• #2

You cannot use the Sir with the last name. I think you say Dear Sir David. Not sure though, never written a letter to a sir.

 

Bob!

Coffee Buyer

Jul 5, 2003

11,120

• Apr 23, 2010

• #3

Dear Sir Sir

 

The Modfather

New member

Dec 13, 2009

7,210

Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads

• Apr 23, 2010

• #4

Dear Sir David, I would have thought.

Although personally, I have no wish to contact any Knights of the realm.

 

Colossal Squid

Returning video tapes

Feb 11, 2010

4,906

Under the sea

• Apr 23, 2010

• Thread starter
• #5

But it just doesn't sound right.

I should point out I'm not writing to Sir David Frost incidentally, I'm just using him as an example.

Surely addressing a letter to someone you've never met and don't know personally by their first name is too colloquial, no?

 

D

Don Quixote

Well-known member

Nov 4, 2008

8,355

• Apr 23, 2010

• #6

It is but you cannot use Sir and then a last name it is not correct, therefore you have to use the first name.

 

surrey jim

Not in Surrey

Aug 2, 2005

18,093

Bevendean

• Apr 23, 2010

• #7

When writing to titled people at work Its just 'Sir David' or 'Lord Frost' no dear used. (whereas for joe public it is Dear Mr Frost)

 

brightonrock

Dodgy Hamstrings

Jan 1, 2008

2,482

• Apr 23, 2010

• #8

For a sir/lady its Sir John or Lady Helen but not their surname. Got a book of salutations for work, I get stuff like this all the time. Other day I had to address something to a The Honourable Right Reverend Sir...

 

Colossal Squid

Returning video tapes

Feb 11, 2010

4,906

Under the sea

• Apr 23, 2010

• Thread starter
• #9

Ok, fairy nuff

Cheers for the help NSC

 

Taybha

Whalewhine

Oct 8, 2008

27,179

Uwantsumorwat

• Apr 23, 2010

• #10

i seem to remember a derek and clive sketch that will clear it up (the horn) if you can find it on the choob.

 

Tony Towner's Fridge

Well-known member

Aug 22, 2003

5,384

GLASGOW,SCOTLAND,UK

• Apr 23, 2010

• #11

Oi Frosty!

Took it from Fortisque's Elementary Book of Social Dialogue (2nd edition).

Interestingly enough under how to address a Labour Transport Peer of the Realm it gives the following

'Oi Adonis you fanny. What sort of name is that anyway? You couldn't organise the repatriation of a dead lemming.You fud!'

A costly tome but a worthwhile investment for anyone's bookcase.

TNBA

TTF