Style of The British Sovereign - Highness, Grace and Majesty

Highness, Grace and Majesty

Further information: Grace (style) and Highness

From about the 12th century onwards, English Sovereigns used the style "Highness". They shared this style with only five other monarchs in Europe: the Holy Roman Emperor and the Kings of France, Castile, Aragon and Portugal. Around 1519, however, the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France assumed the style "Majesty"; Henry VIII copied them. The style "Majesty" had previously appeared in England, but did not become common until Henry VIII's reign.

"Majesty", however, was not used exclusively; it arbitrarily alternated with both "Highness" and "Grace", even in official documents. For example, one legal judgment issued by Henry VIII uses all three indiscriminately; Article 15 begins with "the Kinges Highness hath ordered", Article 16 with "the Kinges Majestie" and Article 17 with "the Kinges Grace".

Scottish Sovereigns were addressed as "Your Grace", rather than "Majesty", in pre-Union Scotland. During the reign of James VI of Scots and I of England and Ireland, however, "Majesty" became the official title, to the exclusion of others.

In full the Sovereign is referred to as "His Most Gracious Majesty". In Acts of Parliament the phrase "The King's Most Excellent Majesty" is used in the enacting clause. In treaties and on British passports, the Sovereign is referred to as "His Britannic Majesty" as to differentiate from foreign sovereigns.