What is the proper title for the wife of an earl?

I am needing to know what the proper title and manner of address would be for the wife of a British earl. Help?|||Countess, dear Zoni. One shall say no more on the matter.|||The title of the wife of an Earl is Countess.

The style of the wife of an Earl is Lady.



For example, the wife of Charles Wood, 3rd Earl of Halifax is Camilla, Countess of Halifax. Her style is Lady Halifax.



Incidentally, the Countess of Halifax was formerly married to Richard Parker Bowles - the brother of Andrew Parker Bowles (the Duchess of Cornwall's first husband).|||As Diana says, the title is Countess, the style is Lady. "Earl" is the British equivalent of the continental title "Count".





You may find the site below, on written and oral styles and forms of address for royals and nobles, helpful.|||It is Countess.


Sometimes confusing seeing as Countess is also the female equivalent of Count.





Both Count and Earl share an equal rank in the ranks of nobility. They are below Duke, Prince and Marquess, but above Viscount, Baron and Knight.





But if you were to address a Countess, you would call her Lady. You wouldn't go up to her and say, "Oh hello Countess, you look rather splendid today." That would be a very odd comment. If she were the wife of the Earl Spencer, then she would be the Countess Spencer. And you would address her as Lady Karen (the git married a third time... so confusing)|||Pearl



Ex. The Earl of London's wife is the Pearl of London. The earl's style is "Lord London" and his wife is "Lady London". Their children will be styled as "The Lord/The Lady (first name)"



Ex. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (the late Queen Mother of the UK) was "The Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon" when her father became Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne



Same as the late Diana, Princess of Wales. She was "The Lady Diana Spencer"|||She is a countess. Formal correspondence requires: The Right Honble. The Countess of


She is called Lady--, the "My lady" or "Madam."|||The title of the wife of an earl is countess, for example, the Sophie, the wife of HRH The Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son) is HRH The Countess of Wessex.





However, when addressing the wife of a countess, you address her as Lady (although, in the case of Prince Edward's wife, one of the more famous countesses in Britain, you would address her as Her Royal Highness).|||Countess.





One talks about "The countess of ____"





Lady Jane would be her address.