Etiquette for Jubilee Occasions
I am frequently asked how to address Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family when they have occasion to respond to invitations, convey their good wishes on a birthday, wedding or some other special occasion. Here some etiquette guidelines, useful addresses and website portals which I have compiled for this Jubilee Year. Other useful hints can be found in my 'Royal Month' gazetted in my regular Travelsleuth's Diary: Monthly Highlights.
Written Communication
If you wish to write to Her Majesty The Queen, your letter, (there is no published email facility), should be directed to "The Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen". You should request that the Private Secretary "submits for Her Majesty's consideration" your communication; alternatively, you may ask "if Her Majesty's attention may be directed to" the matter at hand, or simply state something that "it may interest Her Majesty to know...". You should write "Her Majesty The Queen" at the first mention, and thereafter simply "The Queen". Substitute the words "Her Majesty" and Her Majesty's" for the words "she" or "her".
A letter written directly to the Queen may typically use the following style:
[To commence:] "Madam -
With my humble duty..."
[To end:] "...I have the honour to remain,
Madam,
Your Majesty's most humble and obedient servant...".
The envelope should be addressed to "Her Majesty The Queen", and the phrase "Your Majesty('s)" should be used in place of "you(r)".
Note the nice use of capital letters prefixing the words "The" "Her" and "Your" when addressing or referring to The Queen.
Letters addressed to the Queen Mother are composed in a similar style, except that "Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother" is substituted for "The Queen". She is later known as "Her Majesty"; the term "Queen Mother" alone is never used.
Letters destined for other members of the Royal Family, unless personal friends, should be addressed to the respective 'Equerry', 'Private Secretary' or 'Lady in Waiting'. Initially this person's name is not used, although this is acceptable once they have identified themselves in their reply on behalf of their Royal employer.
Direct communications with other members of the Royal Family are addressed, typically, to "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales" or "His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh". A
direct letter may begin "Sir" or "Madam" (using "Your Royal Highness" in place of "you") and may end:
"I have the honour to remain,
Sir (Madam),
Your Royal Highness's most humble and obedient servant."
The envelope should be .addressed to "Her (His) Royal Highness" and, on the next line, the name of the individual (eg "The Princess Royal" or "Prince Michael of Kent").
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