Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the distinction is between the Sovereign's formal and informal permission in his Department's rules and regulations on the use, style and designation in the UK accorded to British and dual nationals of Commonwealth realms who are recipients of a titular knighthood or titles of honour in any of those realms; and whether UK dual nationals residing in or visiting the UK may continue to use such titles as a courtesy title.

The recognition of foreign honours is a matter for the Royal Prerogative and is governed by convention. My Department does not set rules or regulations for these matters. The Sovereign does not give permission for the formal use of the title “Sir” in the United Kingdom; only those British nationals, including dual nationals, awarded British knighthoods may use the title “Sir” in a formal context in the United Kingdom. The Sovereign acts with the advice of the Government. In giving advice or administering any relevant aspects of these matters, the Government follows the relevant convention. Nationals of all the Realms, awarded a British knighthood, are entitled to use the title “Sir” in the United Kingdom. The titles of Realm nationals, who are not British, and have been awarded a knighthood by their own country, are recognised in the United Kingdom as an official courtesy. Titles associated with awards to dual British nationals are not recognised as an official courtesy in the UK.