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:
The Queen
Buckingham Palace
London
SW1A 1AA
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
Clarence House
London
SW1A 1BA
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh
Clarence House
London
SW1A 1BA
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Kensington Palace
London
W8 4PU
His Royal Highness The Duke of York
Buckingham Palace
London
SW1A 1AA
Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex
Bagshot Park
Bagshot
Surrey
GU19 5PL
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
Buckingham Palace
London
SW1A 1AA
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
Kensington Palace
London
W8 4PU
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Kent
St. James’s Palace
London
SW1A 1BQ