3 Ways to Address a Queen - wikiHow Addressing Queen Elizabeth II in a Letter 1 Decide whether to use traditional forms. According to the Royal Family's official policy, you should be free to write in whatever style you like. [2] Politeness and respect will make any letter more kindly received, but that does not necessarily equate to using formal terms. Stay sincere, and do not use the formal terms below if they make you uncomfortable. 2 Begin the letter with "Madam." At the top of your letter, write "Madam," skip a line, and start writing your letter on the line below it. This is the formal and traditional term of address when writing a letter to the Queen of the United Kingdom. 3 Conclude the letter with a respectful term. The traditional written conclusion is I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty's most humble and obedient servant, followed by your name. [3] If you find this conclusion distasteful due to the declaration of servitude, or the insertion of the letter u in honour, consider one of the following respectful conclusions instead: With greatest respect, Addressing Queen Elizabeth II in Person 1 Make a small curtsy, bow, or nod.

Traditionally, women do a discreet curtsy and men bow from the neck when they meet the Queen of the United Kingdom. [4] This is no longer required, but citizens of the Commonwealth usually choose to use this greeting. People who are not subjects of the Queen often prefer to use a slight nod instead. [5] Do not bow from the waist. 2 Politely shake the Queen's hand if offered. The Queen may or may not offer her hand, although there is no special significance to one decision or the other. If she does offer her hand, take it in a brief, gentle handshake. Do not offer your hand first. 3 Wait for Her Majesty to address you. A good general rule, in fact, is not to initiate an action or conversation until the Queen has addressed you directly. Needless to say, wait until the Queen finishes speaking before you reply. 4 Address her as "Your Majesty" the first time in the conversation. If you are stuck for words, say "Hello, Your Majesty. I am delighted to meet you." Any polite greeting is acceptable, however. 5 Address her as "Ma'am" for the rest of the conversation.

For the rest of the conversation, say, "Ma'am," pronounced to rhyme with "jam." You may use the term "Your Majesty" again if you are asking her a question or introducing someone, but "Ma'am" will do most of the time. [6] 6 Don't ask personal questions. Most likely, the Queen will be guiding the conversation. But if you contribute your own small talk, avoid asking her about her family or personal life. [7] 7 Don't turn your back on the Queen until the conversation is over. Remain facing her or standing to the side throughout the conversation. Turn away or leave only when the conversation is over. [8] And of course, don't forget to give her a proper good-bye and thank Her Majesty for the unexpected opportunity. Method Addressing Queens of Other Nations 1 Try to find the specific form of address. Monarchies often have specific terms of address borne of their countries' traditions. Search online or in etiquette books for the terms of address for the specific monarchy. 2 When in doubt, use "Your Majesty." The term "Your Majesty" is common and unlikely to cause offense.

This term is the proper way to address most queens, from Queen Pengiran Anak Saleha of Brunei, to Queen Mathilde of Belgium. Use "Her Majesty" instead of "her" when writing or speaking about these queens in the third person. 3 Address Empresses as "Her Imperial Majesty." If a monarch's title includes "Empress," or if the nation she heads traditionally considers itself an empire, she should be addressed as "Her Imperial Majesty." Community Q&A 3 Ways to Formally Address British Royalty and Aristocracy in Person Addressing the British Royal Family 1 Greet royalty with a small bow or curtsy. These are the most formal greetings, but they are never required, even for subjects of the Queen. If you are a man and you choose this approach, bow your head slightly at the neck. [1] If you are a woman, give a small curtsy : put your right foot behind your left, then briefly bend at the knees while keeping your upper body and neck vertical. [2] Deep curtsies are not a faux pas, but they are uncommon and difficult to do gracefully. [3] Deep bows from the waist, on the other hand, are never performed in this situation.

Perform this greeting when the royal family member passes by you, or when you are presented. [4] 2 Consider a small nod or bob instead. Instead of bowing or curtsying, you may give a small nod (traditionally male) or bob by briefly bending your knees (female). This is a typical choice for people who are not citizens of the Commonwealth, since they have no fealty to British royalty. [5] This is also perfectly acceptable for Commonwealth citizens. [6] 3 Shake hands only if the offer is extended. The Royal Family's website states that shaking hands is also an acceptable form of greeting, alone or in addition to one of the modes above. [7] However, you should wait for the Royal Family Member to extend his or her hand first, and use only a light touch with one hand. [8] Do not initiate any physical contact yourself. [9] If you are wearing dress gloves (which is certainly not required), men should remove the gloves before shaking hands, while women may leave them on. [10] 4 Let the royal personage take the lead in conversation. Wait until he or she greets you before you speak. Avoid changing the subject, and do not ask any personal questions.

[11] Foreigners should resist the urge to speak "proper" if it comes across as an imitation of an English accent. The Queen and her relatives have spoken with thousands of people around the world, and do not expect you to speak as they do. 5 Use the full formal address in your first reply. If addressed by royalty, your first response should end with the long form of respectful address. For example, if the Queen asks you "How are you enjoying the United Kingdom?" you could respond, "It's wonderful, Your Majesty." For all other members of the royal family besides the Queen, your first response should use "Your Royal Highness" instead. [12] 6 Use short forms of address for the rest of the conversation. All female members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, should be addressed as "Ma'am", with a short "a" as in "jam". Address all male members as "Sir". [13] If you mention a royal family member in the third person, always use a full title (such as "The Prince of Wales") or "His/Her Royal Highness". Referring to someone by name ("Prince Philip" ) may be considered rude.

[14] Note that the correct title for the Queen is "Her Majesty the Queen". Avoid "Queen of England", as that is just one of many titles that refer to a specific country. 7 Repeat the same greeting when the Royal Family member leaves. Use the same bow, curtsy, or less traditional greeting as a respectful farewell when the meeting comes to an end. [15] 8 Contact the Royal Household if you have further questions. The staff of the Royal Household is happy to answer etiquette questions. If you are not sure of the preferred title for a particular royal, or the expectations for hosting a particular event, enquire by post or telephone: [16] (+44) (0)20 7930 4832 Addressing British Nobility 1 Address dukes and duchesses by title. These belong to the highest grade of peerage. Address them as "Duke" or "Duchess". [17] After the initial greeting, you may address them the same way or as "Your Grace". As with any title, you do not need to include the location ("Duke of Mayfair") unless it is necessary to avoid confusion.

If you are making a formal introduction, say "His/Her Grace the Duke/Duchess" followed by the rest of the title. 2 Refer to all lower ranks by Lady and Lord. In conversation and verbal introductions, avoid reference to all other titles besides Duke or Duchess. Use "Lady" and "Lord" instead, followed by the last name. [18] The following titles are only used in formal or legal correspondence: Marchioness and Marquis Baroness and Baron 3 Address the peer's children by courtesy titles. This can get slightly complicated, so look up the exact scenario below: [19] Address the son of a duke or marquess as "Lord" followed by the first name. Address to the daughter of a duke, marquess, or earl as "Lady" followed by the first name. If you will be meeting a peer's heir apparent (generally the eldest son), look up his title. He will often use a secondary title of his father's, which is always of a lower rank. In all other cases, the child has no special title. ("The Hon." is used only in writing.) 4 Speak with baronets and knights.

Use the following guide when talking to someone who holds these non-noble distinctions: Baronet or Knight: "Sir" followed by the first name [20] Baronetess and Dame: "Dame" followed by the first name [21] [22] Wife of a baronet or knight: "Lady" followed by the first name [23] [24] Husband of a baronetess or dame: no special title [25] Community Q&A If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know. Tips The person's own expressed preference about how they would like to be addressed overrides the general rules. If you are giving a speech for the Queen, begin with "May it please Your Majesty" and conclude with "Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to rise and join me in a toast to The Queen!" [26] The Queen occasionally grants knighthoods to non-subjects, but these honors do not add a title. In other words, address an English knight as "Sir" but an American knight as "Mr". [27] You wouldn't normally give a peer's exact rank during an introduction.

A peer's wife is introduced as "Lady Trowbridge" (not "Lady Honoria Trowbridge," which would imply that she has some other rank of her own birth family). Particularly in the higher ranks, it is often the case that the person's surname is different from their title ("Duke of __" or "Duke __"). Don't use the surname. Great-grandchildren in the male line of the monarch are not considered princes or princesses. Use the courtesy titles lord or lady for these personages, addressing them as, for example, "Lady Jane" and introducing them as "Lady Jane Windsor" (unless they have a different title of their own). Warnings If you are caught unprepared, it's probably better to admit ignorance rather than "winging it." If possible, ask a protocol officer or another un-ranked or lower-ranked person. This article deals specifically with meeting British peers and royalty. Aristocracies in other countries may have different etiquette, and (unlike the British) may punish you for failing to observe the correct codes of behavior.

Protocol and Etiquette: a Very Royal Perspective Protocol and Etiquette: a Very Royal Perspective Protocol and Etiquette: a Very Royal Perspective Royal Ceremony and Protocol RoyalProtocol RoyalProtocol is a 21-year-old student from Northern Ireland who has attended many royal events over the last few years. He has been presented to The Duke of Edinburgh and is often invited to state occasions such as the Garter Service and Royal Maundy distribution. He therefore has an inside insight into the goings on at court and the etiquette which surrounds The Queen and her family. View all articles by RoyalProtocol In the face of a national decline in deference and decorum, the Royal Household is one of the last bastions of good form, etiquette, and protocol. No other institution prides itself quite so much on its ability to ensure that at all times people are addressed correctly, letters meet with Debrett's approval (in fact the Royal Household usually sets the standard), orders and decorations are worn correctly, and umbrellas are carried as in times gone by on Whitehall. The Old Guard still reigns at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty's Commands Having attended various royal events over the past few years, I was surprised to see how traditional life surrounding the British Court still was.

No other institution could in this modern age still consider recommending that "women should wear hats" and advising that men wear "morning dress, uniform or lounge suits." White gloves are still the form, and they will stay immaculately clean as they glide along banisters, shake proffered royal hands, and wave goodbye in the ever-familiar royal manner. From the word "go," one is delighted to learn that "The Lord Chamberlain has been commanded by Her Majesty to invite" you to some super-grand royal gathering. These commands range from invitations to the ever popular and massive afternoon parties in the gardens of Buckingham Palace or Holyroodhouse to a state banquet in honour of a visiting Head of State at Buckingham Palace. For us mere mortals these invitations are more likely to be to a "minor" function, a garden party, the Garter service, or, for the newly honoured, an investiture. The invitations are sent in cream envelopes addressed only to a wife (Mrs John Smith, never Mrs Jane Smith [except for divorcées, who have recently been allowed to enter the royal fold]) in the case of couples, and they contain all the information you require: dress codes, arrivals and departures, parking, etc.

The rôle of loyal and dutiful subject then falls to you. Good form dictates that one always accept The Queen's invitations apart from the most exceptional cases. The replies are sent to the member of the Household through whom the command was conveyed, and one "has the honour to obey Her Majesty's command" after the traditional act of "presenting one's compliments." A sample reply may read as follows: "Mr and Mrs Charles Beaufort present their compliments to the Lord Steward and have the honour to obey Her Majesty's command to attend the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 12th March 2008 in honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan." From here you begin your path to one of the most memorable experiences of your life. The most memorable royal gathering at which I have enjoyed being present was the Garter Service in 2007. I departed London for Windsor by train early on Monday morning, dressed in my morning suit with my top hat, and was glad I had brought my umbrella. The first half of the day was wet and dreary, and the Royal Household was considering cancelling the Procession of the Garter Knights and bringing them to St.

George's Chapel by car. However, by about 1.30 p.m. the skies cleared and it was decided that the procession would go ahead as planned, which I am sure was a relief to the crowds gathered in the Castle Precincts. The congregation in the Chapel was seated by 2.30 p.m., and we eagerly awaited the progress of the procession through the nave into the Quire. The heralds, clergy, and choir passed through the nave followed by the Knights of the Garter. The Royal Knights - Princess Alexandra the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, The Duke of Kent, The Duke of Gloucester, The Duke of York, The Princess Royal, and The Prince of Wales - then processed to their seats. A fanfare was sounded, and The Sovereign, accompanied by Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, made her progress to her stall. The service began with a rousing rendition of two verses of "God Save Our Gracious Queen." Prayers were offered for the Sovereign and the Knights living and departed of the Most Honourable and Noble Order of the Garter.

The hymns included "Now thank we all our God" and "All creatures of our God and King." The service concluded with the Blessing and a long procession, this time including The Right Hon The Baroness Thatcher LG OM and the spouses of the Garter Knights. There was then a jolly carriage procession for the royal family, and we were lucky to see them return up the hill to the Castle after we left the Chapel by a side door. The afternoon ended with a lovely tea in the Vicars' Hall and a tour of the Chapel to see the Sovereign's Stall and the resting place of His Late Majesty King George VI, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and The Late Princess Margaret Countess of Snowdon. It was quite a sight to see the congregation, of which I was privileged to be a member, leave the castle, with the men dressed in morning suits and the ladies wearing hats and white gloves; it really was a scene from a bygone age which thankfully is preserved on these state occasions organised so wonderfully by Her Majesty's Household.

Obeisance "Lady Susan [Hussey] is popular, hers is the deepest, briskest and most correct curtsey, the taffeta of her low evening dress fairly crackles in its swift drop to the carpet." [1] Making obeisance is not an idea ingrained in people's minds; one has therefore to consider the reasons behind this ancient form of showing deep respect to someone of authority. Today when you attend a royal function you may be shocked to see a line of bobbing ladies and bowing gentlemen. However, this form does endure and provides a continuity at events attended by The Queen and her family. While it is no longer considered absolutely necessary, many people still make their bows and curtseys to Her Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses. Gone are the days when young women paraded before their Sovereign like vestal virgins adorned in white with feathers, trains, and fans to make their deep, reverential, and well-practised curtseys.

Today ladies may practise in front of their mirrors the night before they go to the Palace, but few take classes at the famous London finishing schools such as Lucie Clayton or dance classes at establishments such as Vacani's School of Dance, where The Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret learned to dance as children. The curtsey is a difficult manoeuvre to execute; if it goes right it looks excellent as you descend towards the ground while shaking hands with The Queen, but if it goes wrong you may end up falling over and making a fool of yourself in Her Majesty's gracious presence. According to Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners, "Low sweeping curtseys, although usually well meant, are best reserved for the amateur dramatic stage and can be the subject of some amusement within Royal circles. Opt instead for a brief bob with the weight on the front foot." [2] I must disagree; I have seen low sweeping curtseys performed with grace and deference and Her Majesty appeared delighted. The curtseys executed by Lady Thatcher are one such example. However, if you are likely to come to grief while attempting this feat, it is safest to stick with the experts' advice. Men are blessed with having only to bow, the most simple act.

A correct bow involves a deep nod, not a bow from the waist. Bowing from the waist should be reserved for when you are in Japan. When to make your obeisance is also a vexing question; it depends on the situation. At a church service, bow or curtsey as the royal personage passes on the way to or from his or her seat; at a garden party or other social gathering, wait until presented or when the royal personage is passing. If in doubt, consult the Household, who will be very helpful. Her Majesty's Household When you are attending royal events and are unsure about something, the Royal Household is of great help and will answer any questions; the members of the Household are always very well informed. It is important, however, to make sure that you contact the correct branch of the Household for help with your particular situation. Each member of the royal family has his or her own Household, so you should not telephone the Information Office at Buckingham Palace to enquire if you should wear a lounge suit or dinner jacket to a reception at Kensington Palace hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The households of the individual members of the royal family vary in size; minor royals often have only three or four on staff.

The Queen's Household does not deal with enquiries regarding royal family members when the query is the remit of another household, so enquiries should be directed to the appropriate Private Secretary. You should be thoughtful and considerate when approaching one of the royal households: try and get the right address or telephone number, and always have your questions prepared in advance. Thus, questions about The Queen's invitations, etc., should be addressed to the appropriate department (in this case the department that issued the invitation). Likewise, if you have questions regarding The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, you should contact Clarence House. The dress code for an event is always given on the invitation. Morning dress for men consists of a grey or black morning coat with a grey or yellow waistcoat and striped grey trousers. A top hat should be worn, and grey or yellow gloves (matching your waistcoat of course!) should be carried. Ladies are in this case expected to wear smart day dress: a suit or dress with hat and gloves, high heels, and a handbag to complete the outfit. Lounge suits are just plain business suits and are now the form for the majority of occasions; again, smart day dress is the correct outfit for ladies.

Black tie calls for dinner jackets to be worn with a smart bow tie. Ladies should wear an evening or cocktail dress (it is best not to wear black, which is really only appropriate only when the Court is in mourning). Finally, white tie involves an evening tail coat with white bow tie and waistcoat for men and long evening dresses with long gloves and best jewellery including tiaras for the ladies. Orders and decorations are worn by everyone entitled to do so, though it is important not to wear the collar of an order (these never appear after sunset). The colour of Her Majesty's clothes is never made known in advance, so don't be tempted to telephone the Household before an event to make sure that you aren't wearing the same colour or that your choice of outfit with clash with The Queen's. Presentation and Conversation Once you have been presented, you are faced with the question of what to say. The Queen is always addressed as "Your Majesty" on the first count and thereafter as "Ma'am"; according to Buckingham Palace, this should rhyme with jam, not palm.

Other members of the royal family are treated with similar respect: "Your Royal Highness" then "Sir" or "Ma'am." You should let the royal personage lead the conversation, not try to change the subject, and ask only the politest of questions. "Is Your Majesty enjoying the performance?" is acceptable, but "How's Philip and Charles?" is most definitely, absolutely out of the question. When referring to The Queen, "The Queen" is fine, though if you want to be certain of being polite I would recommend at least once saying "Her Majesty." It is also quite rude to refer to Prince Charles, Prince Philip, or Princess Anne; instead, you should opt for The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Princess Royal. "His Royal Highness" or "Her Royal Highness" may also be used, though be sure to qualify whom exactly you are referring to. When you are in conversation with a member of the royal family, be yourself but remember that His Royal Highness is not going to appreciate your company if it is too loud, tongue-tied, rude, or bumptious.

When making a formal speech in Her Majesty's gracious presence, it is correct to begin with, "May it please Your Majesty," and at the end it is only courteous to say, "Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to rise and join me in a toast: The Queen!" The National Anthem It is really most vexing to see people who do not know what to do when the National Anthem is played at a formal event. It is most correct to stand (not to do so is quite beyond the pale) and place one's hands by one's side. It is expected that everyone present will sing; do remember that it is "God save The Queen" at the end of each verse, not "God save our Queen," which is the wont of many. On major state occasions the second verse is sometimes played; learn it in advance so you do not have to look it up in your programme or order of service. The first two verses are as follows: God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save The Queen! Long to reign over us, God save The Queen! Thy choicest gifts in store On her be pleased to pour Long may she reign!

May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause, To sing with heart and voice, God save The Queen! Precedence One of the most complicated aspects of court life is precedence. The Sovereign's precedence is absolute, and The Sovereign can determine where on the scale everyone else falls. Officially The Sovereign is at the top of the scale followed by The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Including male adults of the royal family only, His Royal Highness is followed by The Prince of Wales, The Sovereign's two younger sons (The Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex), The Sovereign's grandsons of male descent (Prince William and Prince Henry), The Sovereign's cousins (The Duke of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent, and Prince Michael of Kent), eldest sons of Dukes of The Blood Royal (Earl of Ulster and Earl of St Andrews), and younger sons of Dukes of The Blood Royal (Lord Nicholas Windsor and Lord Frederick Windsor). Among the female members of the royal family, precedence is an important part of life. The Queen is followed by The Duchess of Cornwall and The Countess of Wessex in official precedence.

However, it has been claimed that for court functions Her Majesty has decreed that The Princess Royal and Princess Alexandra should be of higher precedence by right of their being Princesses of The Blood Royal. I have included here the official order of precedence for female adult members of the royal family: The Queen, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, The Duchess of Gloucester, The Duchess of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Alexandra The Hon. Lady Ogilvy, Miss Zara Phillips (by courtesy), Countess of Ulster, The Lady Davina Lewis, The Lady Rose Gilman, Countess of St Andrews, The Lady Nicholas Windsor, The Lady Helen Taylor, The Lady Gabriella Windsor, Mrs James Ogilvy, Miss Marina Ogilvy. These tables of precedence are often changed to suit the occasion; however, on a formal state occasion they are strictly adhered to and are designed to ensure that everyone knows his or her place in the royal pecking order. Foreign Royals A vital point to remember is that the United Kingdom does not enjoy a monopoly on royalty or indeed on the points of etiquette surrounding these ancient thrones.

In general, foreign royals are treated in a similar manner to those of Queen Elizabeth's family and line. Kings and Queens are afforded "Your Majesty" and a deep and respectful curtsey or bow. The Emperor and Empress of Japan are "Your Imperial Majesties," while their family are Imperial Highnesses. Serene Highnesses, Grand Ducal ones, and the occasional plain "Highness" do exist, and careful note should be made to ensure that no one is offended. As a general rule, the children of Kings and Queens enjoy the status of Royal Highness; this is also true of the Luxembourg Grand Ducal Family. A Serene Highness is from a reigning Princely House such as Liechtenstein or Monaco, while an Imperial Highness is from Japan or the former Austrian Empire. Letters to Royalty When one finds the need to communicate by mail with a member of the royal family, there are many points of protocol to remember. Letters should of course be concise and polite.

They should (by tradition) be addressed to a member of the Household (e.g., Private Secretary, Lady-in-Waiting, or Equerry); the royal recipient should be referred to as Her Majesty, His Royal Highness, Her Royal Highness, etc. However, it is in very exceptional circumstances, such as a royal engagement, marriage, death or other very personal occasion, permissible to write directly to the royal personage. In this case an exact and formal protocol exists. Letters to The Queen should begin either "Madam" or "May it please Your Majesty" and end with the sign-off "I have the honour to remain, Madam, Your Majesty's most humble and obedient servant." "You" should be substituted with "Your Majesty" and "your" with "Your Majesty's." Address the envelope to Her Majesty The Queen, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, and wait for your reply, which more than likely will come from a Lady-in-Waiting).

Letters to other members of the royal family should start with "Your Royal Highness" and end with "I have the honour to remain, Sir/Madam, Your Royal Highness's most humble and obedient servant." Conclusion Meeting a member of the royal family can be a wonderful experience; however, if it is to be an enjoyable experience for all concerned, it is best to stick to the guidance given by the Lady-in-Waiting or the Lord Lieutenant. Do what you are told and you are more likely to be invited back; behave in an inappropriate manner and you will be cast into social Siberia. The guidelines which I have given in this article will hopefully help (of course I do realise that there will be readers who feel that these protocols and forms of etiquette should have gone out with the Ark). I believe that the best approach can be summed up by "When at a royal gathering, do as The Queen would expect; after all, you are Her Majesty's guest." However, will these traditions endure after the current reign? The Prince of Wales is a stickler for tradition, so perhaps his court will not be a major departure from the current form. However, will Prince William end these many traditions?

Only time will tell, so as one who thoroughly enjoys Royal Protocol I can say only, "God Save The Queen!" and "Long may she reign!" References [1] Morrow, A. 1983. The Queen. Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press), Bungay, Suffolk. [2] Morgan, J. 1996. Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners: the Indispensable Handbook. Headline, London. Photo Credits Photo of royal invitation used with permission from the Lord Chamberlain's Office and the Office of Public Sector Information. Photos of the 2008 Garter Procession, including heralds and pursuivants, Royal Knights, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton in formal day dress, and Windsor Castle, taken by Flickr member Niquinho and used with permission. Debutante making obeisance to Queen Victoria: public domain. Photo of the 2007 Trooping the Colour ceremony taken by Flickr member Jon's pics and used with permission. Collage of foreign monarchs wearing Garter vestments, created by Royal Forums member TheTruth and used with permission.

Spread The Word The dos and don'ts of meeting Her Maj Email a friend AS every loyal subject of Her Majesty is aware, this week marks the diamond jubilee of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. And with this joyous occasion also comes the heightened risk that the Queen might indeed pop around for a cup of tea at any time, just as your mother always warned you. And even though Her Majesty loves nothing more than to kick back with a gin and tonic and a Rothmans, the fact of the matter is Her Maj is still a bit of a stickler for protocol. And so to avoid any unnecessary embarrassment during her annus juribilis, here are some vital DOS and DON'TS to adhere to if you meet Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith… DON’T speak unless spoken to You may be familiar with the phrase "little children should be seen and not heard”. For the Royals this applies to all ages. The Queen does not want to hear your incomprehensible prattle or whacked-out political theories. This especially applies if you are Prince Philip.

DO follow the dress code The Queen is one of the few people in the world who has the constitutional power to force people to wear hats, so if she tells you how to dress you’d best do as she says. Also, if you don’t know what a “morning suit” is then it’s a fair bet you don’t own one.* DON’T touch the Queen That dirty proletarian Paul Keating brought shame upon the Empire when he dared to offer a guiding hand to Her Majesty as she walked through Parliament House, almost causing a century of parliamentary democracy - not to mention several monarchists - to collapse on the spot. Touching the Queen is illegal. And while we’re at it, don’t pat the corgis either. DO use the highest applicable official address The first time you meet the Queen the correct form of address is “Your Majesty”, not “Your Royal Highness”, “Elizabeth”, “Mrs Regina” or “Luv”. After that you may refer to her as “Ma’am” however this must very strictly be pronounced to rhyme with “jam” rather than “calm”. This is a deliberate rule to prevent the Queen being spoken to by people from Adelaide.

DON’T ask about the royal relations There is nothing more annoying to the Queen than someone coming up and saying “So, how’s old Charlie going then? Haven’t seen him since Timbertop. Do say hello.” You’re not fooling anybody. And whatever you do don’t mention Diana - unless you want to end up like her. DON’T offer a handshake The Queen will always offer her hand first. Just as one should not speak unless spoken to, one should not shake unless shoken to. DO keep handshakes short Several royal etiquette guides warn “don’t pump the royal hand”. Indeed, as a general rule try not to pump anything. DO swot up on the words to God Save the Queen It’s a fair bet that God Save the Queen is the Queen’s favourite song so whatever you do make sure you know the lyrics. And no, the second verse does not begin “I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh…” DON’T call Prince Philip “Your Majesty” As Philip is not King, his correct title is merely “Your Royal Highness”. I know, I know. It’s feminism gone mad. DO stand up when the Queen enters the room The Queen is very fond of people standing.

Just ask the guards at Buckingham Palace. DON’T change the subject It is up to the Queen to take the lead in all conversations, and no, she is unlikely to bring up post office waiting times, why your wife left you or how to calculate family tax benefit B. DO wait for the Queen to start eating The only time the Queen doesn’t eat first is when hosting a visiting Sovereign. Are you a visiting Sovereign? No, of course you’re bloody not. DON’T slurp your tea The Queen likes nice table manners, which includes no slurping and returning the cup to the saucer after each sip. Anyone who doesn’t do this is no better than an Irishman. DO offer the Queen three menus to choose from This rule applies if you are inviting the Queen to a function. Also you must invite her at least six months in advance. Also she’s not coming. DON’T go to the loo I can’t believe it’s even necessary to say this, but for the love of God, if you’re heading out to dinner with the Queen make sure you go before you leave the house.

However if it’s a genuine emergency, wait until the table is being cleared between courses, then make subtle eye contact with a footman, then discretely ask for the lavatory, then quietly excuse yourself from any conversation you’re in and then… Oh let’s face it, it’s too late by now. DO curtsey when meeting the Queen NB This does NOT apply if you are a man – even John Travolta DON’T serve the royals shellfish Actually I’m not sure why this is a rule. Maybe they’re Jewish. * It should be noted that one’s “morning suit” is completely different to one’s “birthday suit”. Confusion between the two has caused some embarrassment in the past. Department of Premier and Cabinet - Forms of Address Department of Premier and Cabinet dots General examples of addressing or referring in speech to titled and official persons Title First and last meeting each day – “Your Majesty” otherwise “Ma’am” A Royal Duke His Royal Highness The Duke of ………..

Your Royal Highness First and last meeting each day - “Your Royal Highness” otherwise “Sir” A Prince His Royal Highness (The) Prince……… Your Royal Highness First and last meeting each day - “Your Royal Highness” otherwise “Sir” A Princess Her Royal Highness (The) Princess ..……… Your Royal Highness First and last meeting each day “Your Royal Highness” otherwise “Ma’am” Governor-General His/Her Excellency the Governor-General or His/Her Excellency Sir………. or Mr/Mrs ……………. Your Excellency First and last meeting each day “Your Excellency” otherwise “Sir” or "Ma'am" Wife of Governor-General Her Excellency Lady…… or Mrs …………….. Your Excellency First and last meeting each day “Your Excellency” otherwise “Ma’am” Governor of State His/Her Excellency The Governor or His/Her Excellency Sir/Mr/Mrs… Your Excellency First and last meeting each day “Your Excellency” otherwise “Sir” or “Ma’am” On presentation to the persons listed above it is customary for gentlemen to bow and for ladies to curtsey.

Note that the pronunciation of “Ma’am” rhymes with “Pam” and NOT “Palm” How to Greet the Queen of England | Our Everyday Life How to Greet the Queen of England by Nate Lee Queen Elizabeth smiles and shakes a man's hand. Related Articles What is the Protocol for Veterans Saluting the Flag During the National Anthem? Americans who are lucky enough to meet Queen Elizabeth do not actually have to bow or curtsy, since they are not her subjects. Many, including President Barack Obama, do so, however, to show respect to the second-longest-reigning monarch in British history. Knowing and showing a few royal niceties will make you feel more comfortable around her majesty. Addressing the Queen According to the website of the Royal Family, there are no obligatory codes of behavior, though the traditional form of greeting is, "Your Majesty," with a head-only bow from the gentleman and a small curtsy from the lady. Every time after the first, you shorten the address to, "Ma'am." Points of Etiquette A few other fine pieces of royal etiquette to remember include: speak when spoken to but do not initiate conversation, do not offer your hand first and do not ask personal questions.

Dress conservatively, and though they no longer throw you in the Tower of London for this offense, do not turn your back on the Queen. Greeting the Royal Family If you should also meet other members of the Royal Family, the same bow and curtsy rules apply. Address the princes as, "Your Royal Highness," and subsequently as, "Sir." Address the female members in the same way, first as, "Your Royal Highness," then as, "Ma'am." References

Question: What is the traditional form of address when first meeting the Queen?
Answer: Your Majesty