Archbishops of Canterbury and York
They are Privy
Counsellors and are addressed The Most Rev and Rt Hon the
Archbishop of Canterbury/York.
The Archbishop of Canterbury ranks next in precedence to the Royal Family and above the Lord Chancellor. The Archbishop of York ranks next to the Lord Chancellor and above Dukes.
How to Address the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
The recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Archbishop/Dear Lord Archbishop (if preferred) |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | The Most Rev and Rt Hon the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (or York) |
| Verbal address | Archbishop |
| Invitation | The Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Joint invitation* | The Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Rowan Williams |
| Description in conversation | The Archbishop of Canterbury |
| List of Directors or Patrons | The Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Place card | The Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Signature | The reigning Archbishop of Canterbury uses his Christian name in English or Latin (or his initials) coupled with the abbreviated Latin name of his see. (When the abbreviated Latin name of the see is used it is usual to put a colon instead of a full stop.) The Archbishop of Canterbury signs himself Rowan Cantuar: and the Archbishop of York signs himself Sentamu Ebor. |
*Note: Traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.
How to Address Retired Archbishops of Canterbury and York
In recent years it has been the custom to bestow a temporal peerage upon a retiring Archbishop of Canterbury, and upon a retiring Archbishop of York who does not become Archbishop of Canterbury (e.g. Archbishop Lord Carey of Clifton, and Archbishop Lord Hope of Thornes). They would otherwise renounce their seats in the House of Lords.
The recommended (social) style of address is as follows
| Beginning of letter | Dear Lord Carey/Dear Archbishop |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | The Most Rev and Rt Hon the Lord Carey of Clifton |
| Verbal address | Lord Carey (or Archbishop) |
| Invitation | The Lord Carey of Clifton |
| Joint invitation* | The Lord and Lady Carey of Clifton |
| Description in conversation | Lord Carey/Archbishop Carey |
| List of Directors or Patrons | The Most Rev and Rt Hon Lord Carey of Clifton |
| Place card | The Lord Carey of Clifton |
*Note: Traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.
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