Protocol for the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

Forms of Address
The Lieutenant Governor (pronounced: lef´ten-ent gov´er-ner) is the highest ranking official in the Province and protocol is in place to pay respect to Her Honour's position as the Crown's representative.

The Lieutenant Governor is addressed in person as "Your Honour" and referred to as "Her Honour".

The Lieutenant Governor's spouse is addressed as "Your Honour" and referred to as "His Honour".

Together, they are addressed as "Your Honours" and referred to as "Their Honours".

For correspondence, the following should be used:

Full Title: The Honourable Mayann E. Francis

Mailing address:

Her Honour
The Honourable Mayann E. Francis, O.N.S., DHumL, B.A., M.P.A.
Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
Government House
1451 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 1Z2

Proper salutation: Your Honour

Proper closing: Yours sincerely,

When listing Her Honour in an event program, the correct wording is:

Her Honour the Honourable Mayann E. Francis, O.N.S., DHumL
Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

Inviting the Her Honour to a Function
The first point of contact when extending an invitation to Her Honour is the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (902 424.7001). When the Lieutenant Governor accepts an invitation, guidelines and a questionnaire are sent to the inviting organization. Representatives of the Office will provide the necessary protocol material and are available as a resource for organizers.

Within two weeks of the date of the function, an Aide-de-Camp will contact the organizers to clarify any questions. The Aide-de-Camp will become familiar with the event plans and will provide assistance concerning protocol and timelines, such as: the time of arrival of the Lieutenant Governor, greeting at the door, reception, introduction of the Lieutenant Governor by the Master of Ceremonies, Royal Salute (formerly referred to as the Vice-Regal Salute), seating arrangements, departure procedure, etc. Any changes to the event agenda must be approved through the Aide-de-Camp prior to the event.

NOTE: Although the Aide-de-Camp accompanies the Lieutenant Governor, it is not necessary for the Aide-de-Camp to be seated on the platform or at the head table. In most instances, it is more appropriate for the Aide-de-Camp to be seated at a front table where he or she has an unrestricted view of the Lieutenant Governor. The role of the Aide-de-Camp is to assist the Lieutenant Governor in the performance of her duties and to ensure that your event observes the required protocol.

Function Guidelines
Courtesy Guidelines
When Her Honour attends state functions or events of an appropriate standing, a fifteen-gun salute and the attendance of a 100-person honour guard forms part of the ceremony and pageantry associated with the Crown and Royal Family. This is just one of the honours offered in respect of the Lieutenant Governor's role.

For any formal procession into a function, Her Honour and those accompanying her (the Vice Regal Party) enter last preceded immediately by the Aide-de-Camp. At smaller, less official or informal dinners, changes may be acceptable, however Her Honour should always be among the last to arrive. Any changes must be approved by the Aide-de-Camp prior to the event.

Once the guests and head table or other dignitaries have entered the function, guests are invited to rise and the Lieutenant Governor is announced. Her Honour then enters the room where the event is being held.

It is appropriate for the Chairman or Master of Ceremonies (MC) to make a simple announcement such as: "Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for the Honourable Mayann Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia."

The MC will then announce the arrival of Her Honour using the following address:

"Her Honour, the Honourable Mayann Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia."

Arrival Times
When a reception is held prior to an event, the Lieutenant Governor will arrive 30-40 minutes before the event. For example, if a reception begins at 6:00 pm with dinner served at 7:00 pm, Her Honour will arrive between 6:30-6:40 pm. There are exceptions to this:

• If a receiving line is scheduled for 6:30 pm, Her Honour will arrive between 6:15-6:20 pm.
• For a performance, Her Honour will arrive approximately five or ten minutes prior to the start of the performance.
• For church services, Her Honour will arrive 5-10 minutes before the commencement of the service.

Parking
Suitable parking space should be reserved for Her Honour's vehicle at the entrance to the building where an event is being held.

Host Greeting
The host and hostess will meet Her Honour at the door of the building and arrangements made for outerwear to be taken to a secure location.

When the function is held at a hotel, Her Honour should be met by the manager or duty manager. An elevator, if required, should be held and the manager or duty manager should accompany Her Honour to and from the function. The Aide-de-Camp will advise the hotel of the arrival time.

While the Lieutenant Governor will know the name of the official meeting her, it is the duty of the Aide-de-Camp to introduce the official (and his/her spouse) to Her Honour. It is customary to ensure Her Honour knows the names of all principals for the function.

Receptions
Her Honour will be escorted to a reception room to meet head table guests or dignitaries. This can be accomplished using a receiving line or by the Lieutenant Governor moving down the line of guests.

For receiving lines, the host or the Aide-de-Camp should announce the names of the guests who will then move by the host, Her Honour, the Host's spouse and other officials.

In the latter case, which is preferred, the guests line up with their spouses. The Chair or host will then move down the line making presentations to the Lieutenant Governor, followed by any other officials. If there is an interval of fifteen or twenty minutes between the reception and the meal, Her Honour will normally circulate among guests and the host/s should remain with her to assist with introductions and provide information if necessary.

To avoid confusion in introductions, use the phrase, "Your Honour, may I present…"

If the host or the Aide-de-Camp brings forward another guest, this signals the person speaking with the Lieutenant Governor that the conversation is at an end. The normal etiquette during introductions is to shake hands. No nodding of heads, bowing or curtseying is required.

At receptions, prior to or following a function, the Aide-de-Camp will ensure the host has complimentary drinks arranged for the Lieutenant Governor's party.

The Salute to the Lieutenant Governor
(Royal Salute, formerly known as the Vice-Regal Salute)
During events of an official nature, once Her Honour is announced and reaches her place of seating, the Aide-de-Camp will signal the orchestra/pianist/organist and the Royal Salute will be played (the first six bars of "God Save the Queen" and the first four and last four bars of "O Canada" played without a break between the two anthems). All guests will then be seated unless they have been instructed to remain standing for Grace or the National/Royal Anthems. Her Honour should be informed beforehand if Grace is to be said and by whom.

Luncheons and Dinners
Seating
As a rule, the Lieutenant Governor sits to the right of the host, regardless of the fact that there may be a Guest Speaker or other distinguished guest. Her Honour does, of course, yield precedence to The Sovereign, the Visiting Head of a Foreign State or the Governor General.

The Aide-de-Camp does not sit at the head table, but should be seated where he/she can have easy eye contact with the Lieutenant Governor and near enough to be of service.

The Aide-de-Camp will check seating arrangements at a function to ensure they are as previously discussed and he/she will brief Her Honour on the guests who will be seated with her. The Aide-de-Camp will also ensure their own seat is well marked as he/she will be the last one to sit.

When introducing the head table, it is suggested introductions be made from the furthest guest on the left of the host to the centre, then from the furthest guest on the right to the centre. Her Honour is the last to be introduced. If you would like Her Honour to speak, please make your request when extending the initial invitation. All such requests must be approved by Her Honour prior to the event.

Loyal Toast
The Loyal Toast is proposed at official functions of the Province as the Toast to Her Majesty The Queen, Canada's Head of State. Organizers of dinners and luncheons are encouraged to arrange for the Loyal Toast to be made after the majority of the head table has completed the main course. The Loyal Toast is not to be given before the meal.

Her Honour will propose the Loyal Toast by saying:

"Ladies and Gentlemen (or other titles), will you please rise for the Loyal Toast to Her Majesty, The Queen of Canada."

All Stand

Her Honour will wait for silence and then raise her glass, saying:

"The Queen, la Reine"

This is the signal for everyone present to do likewise, raising their glass and repeating the phrase, "The Queen, la Riene"

Notes:

• For domestic occasions, Her Honour proposes the Loyal Toast after the main course and before dessert.
• For international occasions (visits of foreign ambassadors, ministers or delegations) the visiting guest of honour normally proposes the Toast to her Majesty the Queen at the conclusion of his or her remarks. In this case, the provincial host will offer a Toast to the visitor's Head of State and the guest of honour will offer the Loyal Toast in response.
• For many occasions, it is no longer customary to play the Royal Anthem, but if it is desired, the correct order is:
  • Loyal Toast.
  • Royal Anthem.
  • Toast is consumed.
• The Loyal Toast may be made with either wine or water.
• Guests should not clink glasses.

Speeches
If the Lieutenant Governor is just one of a group of dignitaries bringing greetings, she is generally the last to speak (when in doubt, check with the NS Protocol Office - Mrs. Colleen MacDonald or Ms. Florence Sassine at 902 424-4464). If Her Honour is the keynote speaker, she will speak last.

Gifts
If you intend to present a gift to the Lieutenant Governor during your event, please inform your contact at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. It's customary to present the gift unwrapped so Her Honour may view the gift and show it to the audience without delay.

Departure
At the conclusion of an event, the MC will ask guests to rise for Her Honour's official departure. Once Her Honour and the Aide-de-Camp leave the room, the event can continue. Her Honour may re-enter the room and mingle briefly if she chooses. She will then depart at her leisure and no announcement is necessary.

For plays and concerts, The MC will ask the audience to stand when Her Honour leaves the theatre at the end of the performance. No announcement is necessary for intermissions.

Following a convocation or graduation, Her Honour and the Aide-de-Camp will lead the procession from the platform.

Her Honour's departure should not interfere with the continuation of an event. The Aide-de-Camp should ensure the host(s) are informed Her Honour will retire shortly so they may rejoin her for farewells.

Weddings and Official Church Services
When Her Honour's visit to a church is of an official nature, she will arrive five minutes before the service is due to commence and should be met at the door by clergy or a suitable church official. The Lieutenant Governor will then proceed to the front right-hand pew in the following order:

Aide-de-Camp and Church Official

The Lieutenant Governor and Host.

The Aide-de-Camp will stand at attention beside and facing the entrance to the pew. Once Her Honour enters the pew, the Aide-de-Camp will then take the aisle seat in the row immediately behind the Lieutenant Governor. Some churches have designated seating for the Lieutenant Governor and differing customs will dictate changes. The Aide-de-Camp will take guidance from church officials and inform Her Honour of any changes.

Following the conclusion of the service, the clergy should rejoin the Lieutenant Governor and form the procession to withdraw in the same order as above.

The Lieutenant Governor may accept to read a scripture lesson, however, invitations to preach or give address during the service are declined.

For funerals, the Lieutenant Governor will enter the church immediately before the family and leave the church immediately following the family.

When the Lieutenant Governor attends weddings, it is preferable to have her be given a place in the chancel (the front part of the church). She will enter just prior to the Mother of the Bride and leave immediately following the wedding party. Arrangements for Her Honour's attendance at weddings are not rigid and will depend on the wishes of the mother of the bride. Representatives from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor will consult with the mother of the bride well in advance.