Excellency

His / Her Excellency is an honorific title given to certain high-ranking political officials.

When written, the title is place before someone's name and title, for example "His Excellency, President Chirac."

In spoken address a holder of this title is usually referred to as Your Excellency or simply Excellency.

In most nations, the title is granted to:

• The President
• The Prime Minister
• The Governor General
• Other Governors
• Foreign ambassadors

Notable Exceptions:

• In Commonwealth Realms the title the Right Honourable is used for the Prime Minister.
• In the United States, the term "Excellency" was speficically denied to the president, with Mr. President or the honorable being his only legal titles. In foreign countries, and in UN protocol, he is usually referred to as His Excellency, however. Oddly enough, US Govenors have retained the title of excellency, though it is rarely used.

See also: Style - Manner of Address