Italian honorifics
These are some of the honorifics used in Italy. Nobility. As part of the republican constitution that became effective in Italy on 1 January 1948, titles of nobility ceased to be recognized in law (although they were not, strictly, abolished or banned), and the organ of state which had regulated them, the "Consulta Araldica", was abolished. However the so-called "predicati" — territorial or manorial designations that were often connected to a noble title by use of a nobiliary particle such as "di", "da", "della", "dei", could be resumed as part of the legal surname upon judicial approval for  persons who possessed it prior to 28 October 1922 (date of Italian fascism's accession to power). In practice, this meant that, e.g., "John Doe, Duke of Somewhere" or "Princess Jane of Kingdom" might become "John Doe "di" Somewhere" or "Jane "della" Kingdom", respectively. Nonetheless, titles are often still used unofficially in villages, private clubs and some social sets. "Signore" and "Signora" (formerly signifying landed nobility) are translations of "Lord" and "Lady", used also in the military hierarchy and for persons in official positions or for members of a society's elite. A few titles are also common in diminutive  form as terms of affection for young people (e.g. "Principino" for "Princeling" or "Contessina" for "the Little Countess"). Use of the prefix "Don" as a style for certain persons of distinction spread to the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily during the Spanish domination of southern Italy in the 16th century. Officially, it was the style to address a noble (as distinct from a reigning) prince ("principe") or duke ("duca"), and their children and agnatic descendants. Any Italian monarch (as in Spain) might informally be addressed or referred to with this prefix, for example King Carlos III of Spain was widely  known in his Neapolitan realm as "Don Carlo". Genealogical databases and dynastic works still reserve the title for this class of noble by tradition, although it is no longer a right under Italian law. In practice, especially in the countryside, "Don" was also used as an honorific title for untitled noblemen, such as knights. The feminine is "Donna". State honours. The President of the Republic can award “honours of the Republic”. These are: In addition, the Orders of Chivalry of the Royal House of Savoy and other Italian dynasties may confer honorifics (Cavaliere and Dama), as do the Holy See  and the Order of Malta. Oddly, the Italian Republic bestows the rank of knight but not that of dame, though ladies may be decorated with knightly rank. Roman Catholic Church titles. Besides normal titles, there are some honorifics that are peculiar to the Catholic Church, being found in European countries of Catholic tradition: Style for letters. Excluding special titles or antique versions, in Italy this is the manner of address in letters: