The long history of etiquette in the British monarchy has instilled a certain way of showing respect to members of the royal family and royalty. In the modern era, strict manners are no longer necessary, and royals usually don't take offense as long as you're polite. However, if you want to avoid embarrassment at a formal event, take a minute to learn how to greet members of the British royal family and royals.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Greet Members of the British Royal Family
Step 1. Greet the royals with a bow or curtsy
This is the most formal gesture, but not required, even for the Queen's servants. If you are a man and choose this approach, lower your head slightly by bending your neck forward. For women, give thin curtsy. The trick, put your right foot behind your left leg, then bend your knee while keeping your body and neck straight.
- A low cursty is fine, but it is rare and difficult to do with a graceful posture. On the other hand, a deep bow from the waist is never done in this situation.
- Perform this posture when members of the royal family pass in front of you, or when you are introduced to them.
Step 2. Consider nodding your head
Instead of bowing and curtsy, you can nod your head (traditionally for men) or bend your knees (women). This is a typical choice for non-citizens of the Commonwealth who have no allegiance to the British monarchy. However, this method can also be done by Commonwealth citizens.
Step 3. Shake hands only if they reach out first
The Royal Family website states that shaking hands is also acceptable, which can be done alone or in addition to the greetings above. However, you'll have to wait for a member of the royal family to reach out first, and only lightly touch with one hand. Don't initiate physical contact first.
If wearing gloves (which are not required), men must remove them before shaking hands, while women may keep them on
Step 4. Let them lead the conversation
Wait for them to speak directly to you. Don't change topics, and don't ask personal questions.
Foreigners don't need to force themselves to speak "correctly" if they sound like they're imitating a British accent. The Queen and her family have spoken to thousands of people from all over the world, and they don't expect you to speak as they do
Step 5. Use the full formal designation in the first response
If you are spoken to by a member of the royal family, your first answer should end with a full title. For example, if the Queen asks, "How are you enjoying the United Kingdom?", can be answered with, "It's wonderful, Your Majesty." For all royals other than the Queen, your first answer should include "Your Royal Highness".
Step 6. Use short designations for the rest of the conversation
All female members of the royal family, including the Queen, must be addressed with "Ma'am", pronounced like "Mem". Greet all male royals with "Sir".
- If you refer to a member of the royal family in the third person, always use the full title (such as "The Prince of Wales") or "His/Her Royal Highness". The mere mention of his name ("Prince Philip") is considered rude.
- Remember, the true title of the Queen is "Her Majesty the Queen". Avoid mentioning "Queen of England" as it is only one of many titles that refer to a specific country.
Step 7. Repeat the same posture as members of the royal family leave
Head bow, curtsy, or a less traditional greeting as a respectful farewell when the meeting ends.
Step 8. Contact the Royal Household with any further questions
Royal Household staff will be happy to answer questions about etiquette. If you are unsure of the title of a member of the working family, or what to expect at a particular event, contact the Royal Household by post or phone:
- (+44) (0)20 7930 4832
-
Public Information Officer
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
Method 2 of 2: Greet the British Nobles
Step 1. Greet the Duke and Duchess by their titles
Duke and Duchess are the highest peerage titles. Greet them by saying "Duke" or "Duchess". After that, you can use the same designation or "Your Grace".
- As with other titles, you don't need to enter a location ("Duke of Mayfair") unless necessary to avoid confusion.
- In a formal introduction, say "His/Her Grace the Duke/Duchess" followed by his full title.
Step 2. Greet all other nobles of lower status with Lady and Lord
In formal conversations and introductions, avoid mentioning titles other than Duke or Duchess. Use only "Lady" and "Lord", followed by the last name. The following degrees are used only in formal or legal correspondence:
- Marchioness and Marquis
- Countess and Earl
- Viscountess and Viscount
- Baroness and Baron
Step 3. Greet the noble's son with an honorary title
It's a bit complicated. See the following example scenario:
- Address the son of the Duke or Marquess as "Lord" followed by the first name.
- Address the Duke's daughter, Marquess, or Earl as "Lady" followed by the first name.
- If you are meeting the heir of a noble (usually the eldest son), look at the title. Normally, he would use his father's secondary title, which was always inferior.
- In all other situations, noble children do not have a specific title (the title "The Hon." is only used in writing.)
Step 4. Know how to talk to Baronet and Knight
Use this guide when talking to non-aristocrats who hold the following titles:
- Baronet or Knight: "Sir" followed by first name
- Baronetess and Dame: "Dame" followed by first name
- Baronet's wife or Knight: "Lady" followed by first name
- Baronetess husband or Dame: no special title
Tips
- Certain greetings that were the personal preference of a noble took precedence over the general rule.
- If you're giving a speech for the Queen, start with "May it please Your Majesty" and end with "Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to rise and join me in a toast to The Queen!"
- Sometimes, the Queen grants Knighthood status to non-subjects, but this award is not awarded with a title. In other words, the title for the British Knight is "Sir", but the title for the American Knight is "Mr".
- Normally, the exact title of a noble didn't need to be mentioned in the introduction.
- A noble's wife is introduced as "Lady" followed by the last name. For example, "Lady Trowbridge" (not "Lady Honoria Trowbridge" because using her first name implies that she has other royal status from her own family, not from her husband).
- For higher aristocratic status, a person's last name was usually different from his title ("Duke of _" or "Duke _"). In this case, do not use the last name.
- The great-grandson of the male lineage of a ruling king or queen is not Prince or Princess. Use the honorific title Lord or Lady, and address them as "Lady Jane", for example, and introduce them as "Lady Jane Windsor" (unless they have their own title).
Warning
- If you have doubts or don't know, it's best to just admit it, don't "improvise." If possible, check with the protocol administrator or lower status person.
- This article specifically discusses greetings when meeting members of the British royal family and royalty. Etiquette for royalty of other countries may be different, and (unlike England) may punish people who do not adhere to proper etiquette and rules.
