Most Gracious Majesty

Most Gracious Majesty is a form of address in the United Kingdom. It is an elaborate version of Your Majesty and is only used in the most formal of occasions.^[when?]

Historical background

Around 1519 King Henry VIII decided Majesty should become the style of the sovereign of England. "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."

In pre-Union Scotland, sovereigns were only addressed as Your Grace.

During the reign of James VI of Scotland and I of England and Ireland, however, James made Majesty the official title, to the exclusion of others.

The style "His/Her Most Excellent Majesty" is used solely for a present or past reigning monarch. The style "Her Most Gracious Majesty" may be used for a queen consort, queen mother, or dowager queen, in addition to a present or past reigning monarch.

In 2012, the Speaker of the House of Commons and Lord Speaker used a modified version of this style, addressing Queen Elizabeth II as 'Most Gracious Sovereign'.^[1]^[2]

References

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[1] ttps://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2012/march/speaker-addresses-hm-the-queen/ ^{[bare URL]}

[2] ttps://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2012/march/lords-speaker-addresses-hm-the-queen/ ^{[bare URL]}

[1]

[2]

Historical background

See also

References