How to Address a Ruler
How to Address a Ruler of an Emirate
The Ruler of each of the seven emirates that make up the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Quwain) holds a noble rank, is addressed orally as Your Highness and in writing as His Highness Sheikh (name).
The Ruler of Abu Dhabi is also the President of the UAE. The Ruler of Dubai is also the Prime Minister of the UAE. You will need to be specific in your form of address.
—-Envelope or address block on an email:
—-—-His Highness
—-—-Sheikh (Full Name)
—-—-Ruler of (Name of Emirate)
—-—-(Address)
—-Which looks like:
————His Highness
————Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum
————Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates
—-—-—-—-and Ruler of Dubai
————(Address)
——–—-His Highness
——–—-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
——–—-Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
——–—-(Address)
—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Your Highness:
—-Conversation:
—-—-Your Highness
______
How to Address a Paramount Ruler
—-Envelope or address block on letter or email:
—-—-His Majesty
—-—-The Paramount Ruler of Malaysia
—-—-(Address)
—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Your Majesty:
—-Conversation:
—-—-Your Royal Highness
—-Subsequently in conversation:
—-—-Sir
— Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?
You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.
Not Finding Your Answer?
—-#1) At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.
—-#2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.) Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.
—-#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.
— Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see the Protocol Resources page.