Sir

Sir is an honorary title.

Formal styling

In formal protocol Sir is also the correct styling for a knight or a baronet (the UK nobiliary rank just below all Peers of the realm), used with the knight's given name or full name, but not with the surname alone (Sir Paul McCartney or Sir Paul, not Sir McCartney). The equivalent for a woman is Dame (for one who holds the title in her own right: the wife of a knight is however styled Lady).

Related Topics:
Knight - Baronet - Paul McCartney - Dame - Lady

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A person who is not a subject of the British monarch (i.e. a citizen of a non-Commonwealth country) who receives an honorary knighthood is not entitled to use this style (e.g. Alan Greenspan, KBE, not Sir Alan Greenspan). Dual nationals holding a Commonwealth citizenship that recognises the British monarch as head of state are entitled to use the styling, although common usage varies from country to country: for instance, dual Bahamian-American citizen Sidney Poitier, knighted in 1968, is often styled Sir Sidney Poitier, particularly in connection with his official ambassadorial duties.

Related Topics:
Commonwealth - Alan Greenspan - KBE - Dual national - Monarch - Bahamian - Sidney Poitier - Ambassadorial

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