Q&A for How to Address Royalty

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  • Question
    Is it true that I can't use the second person perspective (like "you") when writing to the queen?
    Sherringford
    Community Answer
    I have never heard anything about not using "you" when writing to the queen. In professional papers, it is advisable not to use first person (such as "I" and "you"), but if you are writing from a friendly prospective, I see nothing wrong with using second person.
  • Question
    Can I address kings and queens as 'ladies and gentlemen'?
    Community Answer
    No. If you address a room full of people, you must address each class of people present starting with the highest class.
  • Question
    How would I address the whole royal family?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Most royal courts employ someone to regulate etiquette. For specific addresses in different countries, you might consider contacting that office to find out more. They have often published books and leaflets with all the finer points. As a general rule, you should address each class of people separately, using their distinct address. Alternatively, you might consider addressing the king and queen separately and then addressing the other family members in one group. For example, "Your majesties, your royal highnesses."
  • Question
    How does one address Royalty from another culture, say, from Monaco? Does addressing them have to be in the language they speak? Are there any books available that explain this in more detail?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    Especially in our day and age, royalty can be safely assumed to be literate and polyglotted. To avoid making clumsy foreign language errors and thereby offending the addressee, or coming across as dim or disrespectful, write in your native language. Ask a professional translation agency to translate if you think it necessary. Monegasque royalty can be assumed to understand English. Most royal courts have a person in charge of etiquette. Try contacting that person first for any specific information. They may also have books or leaflets they can send you, containing all the finer points of etiquette established in that specific court.
  • Question
    How do I address a prince or princess if he or she is not a member of the ruling family? For example, France, Italy and Russia had and still have princes and princesses who were not immediate family members of the king or queen.
    Community Answer
    Treat them as you would treat normal royalty that are members of the ruling family.
  • Question
    If I identify as royalty, can I get the courts to force people to address me as "My Lord"?
    Community Answer
    No one can be forced to address anyone as anything in a democratic country.
  • Question
    How would I start off a letter if I was writing a report to the King/Queen?
    Community Answer
    Address it to His (or Her) Majesty.
  • Question
    I have understood your information. I want to write letter to kings of different countries. What is the best opening sentence?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    In the address, use each king's specific address. Then, divide your letter into three parts. The opening, the elaboration and the conclusion. It should fit on one side of a standard letter format. In the opening, immediately state the topic of your letter, but do not use "I" as your first word. Write in such a way that even if the person only reads the first paragraph, he has read your letter. In the second part, you may want to give more details. In your conclusion, describe why you wrote, what you hope the king will do, include some well-wishes perhaps, and close by thanking him for his time and attention before your closing salutation and signature.
  • Question
    How do I address Princess Ann when I speak to her?
    Community Answer
    Upon meeting the Princess Royal, a man will make a neck bow (from the head only) and a woman will make a small curtsy. You address her firstly as "Your Royal Highness" and subsequently as "Ma'am" (rhymes with jam, not palm).
  • Question
    Is there a different form of address if I am conversing with a prince or princess who is a child? Would it still be correct to say "Your Royal Highness" and "ma'am"?
    Community Answer
    In most situations, I would use Your Highness and Your Royal Highness. Only use ma'am if you are being informal. Treat royalty with utmost respect even if they are petite.
  • Question
    Suppose I am writing a letter to the former King of Nepal Gyanendra Shah?
    Community Answer
    Address him as Sir, because he is not the king anymore, but is very likely still in a lower position of royalty.
  • Question
    How do I address and treat royalty from other countries?
    Community Answer
    This varies based on country -- ultimately, with respect. It's best to do your research before a potential encounter.
  • Question
    If a prince or a princess is married to a person outside of royal lines, and the prince or princess is not a Crown Prince(ss), how is the spouse addressed?
    Penzae_lived
    Community Answer
    Since he has married a Royal member, then he will be a prince as long as she is alive but in most cases he is unable to ever become a king, only a consort or prince.
  • Question
    How do I address an Indian Princess?
    Penzae_lived
    Community Answer
    For a prince, say, "His Royal Highness, Prince of (Name of region). For a princess, say, "Her Royal Highness, Princess of (Name of region).
  • Question
    How to address 2 Highnesses in a letter? Your Royal Highnesses? Good morning Highnesses?
    Penzae_lived
    Community Answer
    in most cases your Royal highness is the best formal route while Your Grace and Your Majesty are also quite commonly used.
  • Question
    How do I start writing my email to Prince William and his wife?
    Hugh Jass
    Community Answer
    As such: Dear Prince William and Princess Kate, [Provide a formal greeting, then continue with the information you wish to share.] Yours sincerely, xxx.
  • Question
    A first address to royalty would be "Your Royal Highness." If the conversation carries on, would you use "ma'am"?
    Community Answer
    No, continue to use "Your Royal Highness" unless otherwise stated. Don't use ma'am if it does not feel right to use.
  • Question
    What form of address would I give a guest performer who is from Germany and they have a businessman for a husband?
    Community Answer
    Just use the classic Mrs., Ms., or Mr. depending on their gender. Of course, if you want to use their native language, you could say Frau for a woman and Herr for a man.
  • Question
    What form of address do I give my senators and representatives?
    Community Answer
    Address them using their elected title followed by their legal given name. Ex: Senator John Doe or State Representative John Doe.
  • Question
    If you have tattoos, is it disrespectful to show them, or do you have to cover them up with clothing or make up? And if they don't what about inappropriate tattoos?
    Icewolf14
    Community Answer
    Yes, multiple royals even have tattoos of their own but usually cover them. Covering up inappropriate tattoos is recommended.
  • Question
    Do you address a prince with Your Royal Highness or His Royal Highness?
    Tara Burke
    Top Answerer
    You address him with Your Royal Highness, when speaking to him. You discuss him as His Royal Highness, when speaking of him.
  • Question
    Is it okay to address a female child as Mistress?
    CageyCat
    Top Answerer
    The correct form is "Miss" or by the female's royal title. Princess Charlotte is one example.
  • Question
    What form of addresses are for dukes and duchesses of Bavaria?
    Community Answer
    "Your Highness" is the appropriate way to address the dukes and duchesses of Bavaria.
  • Question
    What attire do I wear when meeting rulers?
    Community Answer
    Suits and ties, dresses, and any formal clothing is appropriate to wear while meeting rulers. If your nation has a formal national dress, that would be appropriate too.
  • Question
    For the mayor, do I use mayor or their first name?
    Community Answer
    Generally, while addressing a mayor you would say 'Mayor' and then their last name.
  • Question
    For meeting former president Jimmy Carter, do I use your majesty or Mr. President?
    Community Answer
    You would use Mr. President. This is because a former president is not royalty, henceforth making it inappropriate to refer to him as "your majesty."
  • Question
    Do royalty have to address each other by their proper names? Like would a princess have to address a foreign queen by "your highness" or something?
    CatherineChurchill
    Community Answer
    A princess would address a foreign queen by by "your royal majesty" and their own queen by either "ma'am" or something like that only.
  • Question
    What form of address do I give prince Charles and his wife when I meet them?
    Community Answer
    The correct address would be Your Majesty (singular) or Your Majesties (plural).
  • Question
    For a duke or duchess in Bavaria, do I say her majesty or your highness?
    MidnightBlue1_1
    Top Answerer
    “Your majesty” is the higher form used to address a ruling monarch, whereas “your highness” is the form of address for a noble lower in rank than a king or queen, such as Prince or a Royal Duke.
  • Question
    For duke or duchess of Bavaria, do we say highness or your majesty?
    Alex
    Community Answer
    Both are exchangeable so you could use either. Otherwise, you could just ask them what they prefer.
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