Sons of a Marquess
Eldest Son of a Marquess
The eldest (or only) son of a marquess will use either a peerage title by courtesy or a courtesy style (of a rank junior to his father) and should be addressed accordingly. For example, the son and heir apparent of the the Marquess of Audley may be known as the Earl of Maddox and the appropriate forms of address for a peer by courtesy therefore apply to him and his family.
Younger Sons of a Marquess
The younger sons of a marquess have the courtesy title of 'Lord' before their forename and surname. For example, the younger son of the Marquess of Audley may be Lord Alexander Hart.
Prefixes such as His Excellency, Major General, The Rt Rev, The Rt Hon etc. precede his courtesy title.
How to Address the Younger Sons of a Marquess
The recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Lord Alexander |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | Lord Alexander Hart |
| Verbal communication | Lord Alexander |
| Invitation* | Lord Alexander Hart |
| Description in conversation | Lord Alexander |
| List of Directors or Patrons | Lord Alexander Hart |
| Place card | Lord Alexander Hart |
| Legal document | Alexander Hart commonly called Lord Alexander Hart |
*Note that, 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.
Wife of a Younger Son of a Marquess
The wife of the younger son of a marquess has the courtesy title of 'Lady' followed by her husband's forename and surname (unless herself the daughter of a duke, marquess, or earl). For example, the wife of the younger son of the late Marquess of Lothian is Lady Ralph Kerr.
How to address the Wife of a Younger Son of a Marquess
The recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Lady Alexander |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | Lady Alexander Hart |
| Verbal communication | Lady Alexander |
| Invitation | Lady Alexander Hart |
| Description in conversation | Lady Alexander |
| List of Directors or Patrons | Lady Alexander Hart |
| Place card | Lady Alexander Hart |
| Legal document | Marie-Clare Hart commonly called Lady Alexander Hart |
* If she is the daughter of a duke or marquess, she may continue to use her own title instead of that of her husband. This style should only be used if it known to be the preferred form of address.
Widow of the Younger Son of a Marquess
Her style in widowhood does not change, except on remarriage, when she adopts the style from her husband.
