Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Address the British Royal Family
• Method 2 of 2: appeal to British nobility
• Tips
• Warnings

A long history of etiquette indicates how to show respect to a member of the British aristocracy. In the modern day, no one demands such courtesy, and you probably won't annoy the nobility as long as you are polite. However, if you don't want to be embarrassed during a formal event, take a moment to find out the best way to address the other guests.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Address the British Royal Family

1. Greet members of the royal family with a small bow or curtsey. These are the most formal greetings, but they are never required, even for the Queen's subjects. If you are male and you choose this approach, slightly bend your head from the neck. As a woman you make a small reference: put your right foot behind you to the left and bend at the knees, while your upper body and neck remain vertical.
   • Deep references are not a faux pas, but they are rare and difficult to do gracefully. However, deep bending from the waist is never performed in this situation.
   • Give this greeting when a member of the royal family walks by, or when you are introduced.
2. As an alternative, consider a short nod of the head or at the knees. Instead of bowing or making a reference, you can also give a short nod with your head (traditionally for men) or give your knees slightly (for women). This is a common choice for people who are not Commonwealth residents, as they do not owe allegiance to the British Royalty. This is completely acceptable to Commonwealth people as well.
3. Only shake hands when offered. The British Royal Family website states that shaking hands is also an acceptable form of greeting, by itself, or in addition to any of the above greetings. However, you should wait for the royal family member to reach out first, and stick to just a light touch with one hand. Never initiate physical contact yourself.
   • If you wear gloves (which is certainly not mandatory), men should take off the gloves before shaking hands, while women can keep them on.
4. Let the royal take the lead in the conversation. Wait for him or her to greet you before saying anything. Do not change the subject or ask personal questions.
   • Foreigners should resist the urge to speak "good" English, as this may appear like an imitation of an English accent. The British Queen and her relatives have spoken to thousands of people around the world and don't expect you to speak like her.
5. Use the full formal title at the first meeting. If you're being addressed by royalties, your first answer should end with the long form of the respectful address. For example, if the Queen asks, "How are you enjoying the United Kingdom?" You can respond with, "It's wonderful, Your Majesty". For all other members of the Royal Family except the Queen, use your first response, "Your Royal Highness".
6. Use abbreviated forms of address during 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 the male members as "Sir".
   • When referring to a royal family member in the third person, always use the full title (such as "The Prince of Wales") or "His / Her Royal Highness". Referring to someone by name (such as "Prince Philip") can be considered rude.
   • Note that the correct title for the British Queen is "Her Majesty the Queen". Avoid "Queen of England" as this is just one of many titles referring to a specific country.
7. Repeat the same greeting when the royal family member leaves. Use the same bow, reference, or less traditional greeting as a respectful goodbye when the meeting ends.
8. Please contact the royal household if you have further questions. The Royal Household staff are happy to answer questions about etiquette. If you are unsure about the desired title for a particular royal, or the expectations for organizing a particular event, please inquire by mail or phone:
   • (+44) (0)20 7930 4832
   • Public Information Officer
     Buckingham Palace
     London SW1A 1AA

Method 2 of 2: appeal to British nobility

1. Address dukes and duchesses by title. These belong to the highest peerage. Address them as "Duke" or "Duchess". After the first greeting, you can address them in the same way or as "Your Grace".
   • As with any title, there is no need to include a location ("Duke of Mayfair") unless necessary to avoid confusion.
   • At a formal introduction, say "His / Her Grace the Duke / Duchess" followed by the rest of the title.
2. Refer to all lower positions with Lady and Lord. During conversations and verbal introductions, avoid references to all other titles except Duke of Duchess. Instead, use "Lady" and "Lord" followed by the surname. The following titles may only be used in formal or legal correspondence:
   • Marchioness and Marquis
   • Countess and Earl
   • Viscountess and Viscount
   • Baroness and Baron
3. Address noble children with their courtesy titles. This can get somewhat complicated, so look up the exact scenario below:
   • Address the son of a duke or marquis as "Lord" followed by the first name.
   • Speak the daughter of a duke, Marquis, or count as "Lady", followed by the first name.
   • If you meet a noble heir (usually the eldest son), look up his title. He will often use a secondary title from his father, one that is always of a lower rank.
   • In all other cases, the child has no special title. ("The Hon." Is only used in writing.)
4. Address baronets and knights. Use the following guide when speaking to someone who has the following non-noble awards:
   • Baronet of Knight: "Sir" followed by the first name
   • Baronetess and Dame: "Dame" followed by the first name
   • Wife of a Baronet or Knight: "Lady" followed by the first name
   • Husband of a Baronetess or Dame: no special title

Tips

• The stated preference of someone about how he / she wishes to be addressed always takes precedence over the general rules.
• If you are giving a speech to 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!"
• The English queen occasionally grants knighthoods to non-subjects, but this honor does not come with a title.In other words, address an English "knight" as "Sir", but an American "knight" as "Mr.".
• You don't normally list the exact rank of a noble person during an introduction.
• The wife of a noble person is introduced as "Lady Trowbridge" (not "Lady Honoria Trowbridge," which would imply that she has another rank from within her own family).
• Particularly in the higher classes, it is often the case that someone's last name is different from that of their title ("Duke of" or "Duke"). Do not use the surname.
• Great-grandchildren in the monarch's male line are not considered princes or princesses. Use the courtesy titles Lord or Dame for these persons, so address them, for example, as "Lady Jane" and introduce them as "Lady Jane Windsor" (unless they have a different title of their own).

Warnings

• If you are unprepared, it is probably better to admit your ignorance rather than "improvise" a little. If possible, ask a master of ceremonies or another person with no or lower rank.
• This article deals specifically with addressing British nobles and royalty. Aristocracies in other countries may have different etiquette, and (unlike the British) may be able to penalize you for not following proper codes of conduct.