Widow of a Baron
The widow of a baron (or Lord of Parliament in the peerage of Scotland) is officially known as The Dowager Lady .......(unless there is already a dowager baroness in that family still living in which case the widow of the junior baron is known by her forename eg Therese, Lady ............) .
In practice, many widows prefer to use their forename in place of 'Dowager'. If in doubt, use of the forename is recommended.
How to Address the Widow of a Baron
The recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter |
Dear Lady Hays |
End of letter |
Yours sincerely |
Envelope |
The Dowager (or Therese) Lady Hays |
Verbal communication |
Lady Hays |
Invitation |
The Dowager (or Therese) Lady Hays |
Description in conversation |
Lady Poole, The Dowager (or Therese) Lady Hays |
List of Directors or Patrons |
The Dowager (or Therese) Lady Hays |
Place card |
The Dowager (or Therese) Lady Hays |
Legal document |
The Right Honourable Therese Baroness Hays |
If the present holder of the barony is unmarried, the widow of the previous baron does not use the term of either The Dowager Lady Hays, or Therese, Lady Hays, but continues to be known as The Lady Hays.