Royal vocabulary defined to help you understand the current news
One of the best ways to learn a language, and to keep up with what’s going on in that country, is to read or listen to the news. Since the death of Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom for 70 years, you may have come across some new words or phrases related to the monarchy. Here we will define some of the more complicated, hard to grasp vocabulary so that you can better understand how the British monarchy functions through the royal vocabulary.
Royal Vocabulary
State funeral
The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on the 19th September 2022 was the first state funeral for decades. A state funeral follows strict protocol, including a military procession and a service at Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral. These are usually reserved for monarchs, although occasionally given to important figures such as Prime Minister Winston Churchill. State funerals are rare and most royal figures will simply be given a ceremonial funeral, which is similar in style and process but does not need parliamentary authorisation or an order by the reigning monarch.
Lying in state
One aspect of a state funeral is ‘lying in state’, a tradition whereby the body of the deceased is held in a state building to allow the public to pay their respects. The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was held at Westminster Hall and members of the public queued for up to 10 miles, with some waiting for over 24 hours.
Your Highness
A term of respect and honour used to address members of the royal family.
Your Majesty
A higher term of respect, used to address the reigning monarch.
Queen Consort
The term used for the wife of a King. For example, Camilla, wife of King Charles III, is now known as the Queen Consort of the United Kingdom. On the other hand, the husband of a Queen is referred to as Prince.
Coronation
The ceremony in which a new monarch is crowned. A crown and other items are presented to the monarch, and they take special vows to mark their new power.
Jubilee
The word ‘jubilee’ means the anniversary of an event, used most often when a monarch is celebrating a milestone number of years as head of state. For example, in 2022 the United Kingdom celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the 70th anniversary of her reign.
To abdicate
To abdicate is to give up or renounce the throne, the formal declaration of a king or queen that they no longer want to hold this position. For example, Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson. Thus, the line of succession passed to King George VI, father of Elizabeth II.
Line of succession
The sequence of members of the Royal Family, showing the order in which they are in line to the throne.
Fun fact: the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act means that the line of succession no longer discriminates based on gender. Previously, princes took precedence over princesses.
Monarchist
A person who supports the monarchy and agrees that the country should have a king or queen.
Republican
A person who believes that the country should be governed by elected representatives rather than a king or queen.
We hope that this has clarified some tricky English terms used when discussing the monarchy.
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