Q. The father of a cousin of mine has just
died. My cousin idolised his father and will be suffering from his loss. I am writing to offer my condolences. My problem is that the man in question was a baronet. His son is now heir to the baronetcy, Do I address him on the envelope as Sir X Y. or would this look rather callous or disrespectful, or as though I was revelling in some ghastly premature snobbery?
V.F., London 14712 A. As his heir, your cousin immediately assumes the title on the death of his father. 'The King is dead. Long live the King!' It is simply correct to call him Sir X Y from now on, just as your GP is Doctor So and So. In any case, in these dark days the snobbery value of a hereditary; baronetcy is debatable. Yet it still serves as a reminder of the rich history of our islands, and even the postman prefers life to have a rich tapestry rather than an impoverished one.
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