Q&A for How to Formally Address British Royalty and Aristocracy in Person

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How do I address a royal prince?

Community Answer

At first meeting he is address with Your Royal Highness, and Sir thereafter.

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What happens if you accidentally say something or act impolite?

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In all honesty, just apologize.

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Question

When do you use the title "Your ladyship"?

Community Answer

When you address a lady or countess (wife of an earl). If you would normally say 'you' in the context, then substitute it for 'your ladyship'. For example: "Have you finished lunch yet?" would become "Has your ladyship finished lunch yet?".

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Would I say "your majesty" or "my majesty?"

Community Answer

"Your majesty." This type of address is a respectful acknowledgment of a positive quality that the person being addressed possesses. In this case, you are literally calling the person "majestic." Another example of this is addressing a judge as "your honor" -- you are acknowledging that he is honorable.

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Is there a plural form used to refer to multiple royal people of different stations? Or do I have to address them one at a time?

Community Answer

Usually you must address them one at a time, though referring to them as "the court" is sometimes appropriate.

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Is it ever appropriate to grovel on one's hands and knees to show deference to our superiors?

Community Answer

I seriously doubt it. That gesture would be overly respectful and would most likely annoy the royal in question. If you read the first part, it says not to do a deep bow; if that isn't appropriate, then groveling on your hands and knees definitely wouldn't be.

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When do I say "your lordship" when addressing British aristocracy?

Perry Scott Gibson

Community Answer

With a baron, viscount, earl, marquess, the son of a duke, or the son of a marquess. Use it to replace the word "you" in conversation; instead of saying "Do you like the tea?", you'd say "Does your lordship like the tea?" Also, it is almost completely interchangeable with "my lord." Make sure not to use it with a royal or a duke. Dukes are peers, but they are not lords; they are of a higher station.

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How does one make the queen or any other royalty aware of one's hearing problem?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

As you would any other person. Either you're not going to talk to the queen or royalty directly, then it's not an issue, or you'll have a short polite two-sentence interaction, then it's not about what's being said anyway. If you'll be talking for a more lengthy period of time, you are well within your rights to use gestures such as cupping your hand to your ear to make this clear.

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Question

If I met Prince William, would it be okay to use his formal title at the start and "sir" throughout?

Community Answer

In that scenario, I would begin by addressing him as "Prince William," and then use "sir" throughout.

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How do I address a lord lieutenant?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

The formal address is "[Title and Name], Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant". The salutation is "Dear Lord-Lieutenant", and in a speech say "My Lord-Lieutenant".

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Question

Should I say "Your Highness" when addressing British royalty?

Alexandra Billings

Community Answer

This is dependent on what level of royalty they are. Your Highness is used when talking to Princes and Princesses. If it is a Queen or King, the proper way to address them is 'Your Majesty'.

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Question

When writing a letter to an Earl, how is it started? Is it "Dear Lord"?

ReebokBeebok

Community Answer

Yes. You should include their full title, though (including surname). For example, "Dear Lord John Smith, Earl of ..."

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Question

When I address the king, what should I call him?

ReebokBeebok

Community Answer

"His Majesty, the King of ..." if you're being really formal; otherwise, a simple "Your Majesty" will do.

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Is it appropriate to address Her Majestsy as my lady?

MidnightBlue1_1

Top Answerer

When meeting The Queen, the correct formal address is 'Your Majesty' and subsequently 'Ma'am,' pronounced with a short 'a,' as in 'jam' or 'ham'.

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You state above that when you curtsy, you place “your right foot behind your left foot .” Yet your picture shows putting your left foot behind your right foot. So which is correct?

CatherineChurchill

Community Answer

Usually the right foot is put behind the left but really any one is fine. You need to be comfortable while curtsying so check which one works out best.

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Question

How does the daughter of an earl sign her name?

CatherineChurchill

Community Answer

The daughter of an earl uses Lady + [name] to sign her name. The same goes for the daughter of a duke or marquess.

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You state above that when you curtsy, you place “your right foot behind your left foot .” Yet your picture shows putting your left foot behind your right foot. So which is correct?

Community Answer

The correct method to curtsy: Put your right foot behind your left foot and bend your knees.

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Question

Do you address the Crown Prince as Crown Prince (name) or just Prince (name)? And how to address him in a conversation?

Community Answer

You usually just use Prince (name) or Your Majesty. Use these titles unless the person you are addressing says so otherwise.

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Question

How do you address a prince who is still a child in a conversation?

Community Answer

You still use “Your Majesty” or another title. The person of royalty may be a child but they are still of royalty.

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