Courtsey Titles

If younger sons of peers are refered to in legal documents as "
, Esq. commonly The Hon. " etc. Then what of
courtsey peers? For example, would the Earl of Arundel be "Henry
Howard, Esq. commonly Earl of Arundel and Surrey"? Or are courtsey
peers given special legal status and still "The Rt. Hon. Henry Howard,
Earl of Arundel and Surrey"?

Peter Tilman...

Debrett's Correct Form says that the "full description" would be "Henry
Miles Fitzalan-Howard, Esquire, commonly called Earl of Arundel and Surrey",
but that "Henry Miles, Earl of Arundel and Surrey" is "generally considered
to be sufficient" (though they use different examples, obviously). Either
way, they're not "The Right Honourable" unless Privy Counsellors.

Also, what of peeresses (in the sense of the wives of peers)? Are they
also reffered to as "Mrs. X, commonly Her Grace The Duchess of Y"? Or
are they too given special legal status and always "Her Grace The
Duchess of Y"?

Peter Tilman...

"The Most Noble Georgina Susan, Duchess of Norfolk".

As you can see I am somewhat confused. Any help would be greatly
appreciated.

Patrick Cracroft-Brennan...

The Earl of Arundel and Surrey would be "Henry Howard, Esq. commonly
called Earl of Arundel and Surrey"

The current wife of a peer shares her husband's full style, e.g. The
Rt Hon the Countess of Derby. Things become a tad more hairy with the
styles of ex-wives and surviving wives of former holders of a peerage.

Patrick Cracroft-Brennan FCA HonFHS
Director - Heraldic Media Limited
Publishers of "Cracroft's Peerage"
The complete guide to the British Peerage