Etiquette for Meeting the Queen

Should you meet the Queen, curtsy if you're female, bow if you are male but, not from the waist. Just a lowering of the head is sufficient. 

Actress Elizabeth Taylor Curtsies to Queen Elizabeth II as She Greets Her Before Banquet

On Talking to the Queen...

According to “Debrett's Correct Form,” a book which its publishers describe as “a guide to social and professional etiquette, precedence and protocol,” here's how you should talk to the Queen of England: Address her first as “Your Majesty.” After that, you may call her “ma'am,” which rhymes with jam. 

Never address her as “Queen” or refer to her as “you.” For example, “How is Your Majesty feeling?” is proper. “How are you feeling, Your Majesty?” is not. And never, never say, “What's cooking, Queenie?” Should you meet the Queen, curtsy if you're female, bow if you are male but, not from the waist. Just a lowering of the head is sufficient. — San Bernardino Sun, 1977

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia@ Etiquette Encyclopedia

The Etiquette Sharps on Royal Titles

The question arose as to the etiquette of a U.S. President, and how he should address royalty.

Calls One King “Sir,” and Another, “Your Majesty”

Washington, Jan. 16 —Why did President Wilson, in replying to the speech of King George V of England, call his Royal host “Sir,” while in a similar position with King Victor of Italy he used the expression “Your Majesty.” The sharps on etiquette and Royal Court procedure noted the differences in form, and while granting either was correct from one ruler to another, were at a loss to account for the difference. What is, at least, the most probable explanation was furnished by an Italian attache, who said that what was probably in the President’s mind was that “Sir” rendered into Italian, might be retranslated as “Mister.” In using the “King's English” to an English King, there was not the same danger. – Los Angeles Herald, 1919

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette for Addressing Monarchs

Through the chaos of the Middle Ages, the Plantagenets rose to seize control of England. It was one of the most violent periods in history, famed for the Hundred Years’ War, the Peasants’ Revolt, and the beginning of the Wars of the Roses.

The usual forms of address for a King for much of the "Plantagenet era" in England were ‘your highness’ and ‘your Grace’. Richard II introduced the terms ‘your majesty’ and ‘your high majesty’ to the court vocabulary, having had a grander and more elaborate vision of kingship than his predecessors.

During the King's later reign, there are accounts of Richard II sitting in splendor on his throne after dinner, while glaring around the room at the courtiers assembled there. It is said that, whomever his gaze rested upon was to fall to their knees in humble appreciation of his royal awesomeness. Eventually wearing thin, in 1399 Richard was deposed by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, who took the throne as Henry IV, which abruptly ended an unbroken succession of Plantagenet kings since the 12th century.

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette History and Monarchs

Nine European Monarchs Gathered in 1910 — Standing, L-R: King Haakon VII of Norway, King Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, King Manuel II of Portugal,Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany (King of Prussia),King George I of Greece, King Albert I of Belgium.

Seated, L-R: King Alfonso XIII of Spain, King George V of the United Kingdom, King Frederik VIII of Denmark.

How to Address a Monarch

The simple title “Madame,” reduced in practice to “Ma'am,” is, as most people know, all that serves between Queen Victoria and her court to mark the former's dignity as the ruler of a world-wide empire. Had Britain a King he would be no more than “Sire,” the old French- form of “Sir,” sacred to royalty. 

With us the term “Majesty” is only for servants and ceremonial occasions. There are few other courts where this wholesome simplicity prevails. The Emperor of Germany is “Majestat”— there is no pronoun in the title— to all and sundry, even to his family, except when in absolute privacy. 

The Emperor of Austria is “Eurer Majestat” at all times and under all circumstances, the King of Greece is “Votre Majeste” —French being the court language— and our recent visitor, the King of Sweden, is “Ers Majestat.” Their royal consorts are addressed with the same formality. 

Only, at the courts of Belgium and Italy may the sovereign be greeted as “Sire” or “Madame,” though the etiquette of the Russian court permits it when the French language is being used. When Russian is being spoken, Nicholas II is to his courtiers and officials “Czar,” employed like the Prussian “Majestat,” without a pronoun. — The London Mail, 1900

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia