Royal Etiquette and Protocol

Contacting Members of The Royal Family

If your enquiry is regarding a Royal visit you might like to consult the Lieutenancy office and make contact via the Lord Lieutenant

Every year many people want to contact the Royal Family so you should be aware that due to the numbers involved correspondence is only possible via letter. Members of the Royal Family cannot be contacted directly via email or telephone. There is no strict protocol about how a letter should be written, though some people wish to observe the traditional forms. In which case, people may write to The Queen with the formal opening ‘Madam’ and close the letter with the form ‘I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty’s humble and obedient servant’. For other members of the Royal Family the formal opening is ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’. Other people prefer to open their letter with ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘Your Royal Highness’ and end it with ‘Yours sincerely’.

How should I address Members of the Royal Family?

For The Queen: ‘Your Majesty’ on the first occasion, and Ma’am’ thereafter (rhymes with “ham”). Other female members of The Royal Family who hold the title Her Royal Highness: ‘Your Royal Highness’ on the first occasion, and then ‘Ma’am’. For male members of The Royal Family who hold the title His Royal Highness: ‘Your Royal Highness’ on the first occasion and ‘Sir’ thereafter.

You can write to members of the Royal family at the following addresses: