Royal Highness - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

In the British monarchy the style of Royal Highness is associated with the rank of prince or princess (although this has not always applied, the notable exception being Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was given the style of HRH in 1947 but was not created a prince until 1957). This is especially important when a prince has another title such as Duke (or a princess the title of Duchess) by which he or she would usually be addressed. For instance HRH The Duke of Connaught was a prince and a member of the royal family while His Grace The Duke of Devonshire is a non-royal duke and not a member of the British Royal Family. During the Diamond Jubilee celebrations the Queen was addressed as Her Royal Highness during and this was seen as incorrect.

In the United Kingdom, a letters patent dated 21 August 1996 stated that a style received by the spouse of a member of the Royal Family on their marriage ceased in the case of their divorce. It was for this reason that when TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales divorced, she ceased to be Royal Highness, and was styled Diana, Princess of Wales. Irrevocably, she was a Lady in her own right. However, she chose not to use this title because the title Princess outweighted that. Similarly, HRH The Duchess of York was restyled Sarah, Duchess of York after her divorce from HRH The Duke of York.