charliesmum | (no subject)

Wanted to post a couple of 'offical' photos, but it's slightly complicated, as my photos aren't .jpgs, and I converted one (had to convert 2x to make it a .jpg and the quality went down) but when I posted it it was bloody huge, and thus not something I wanted to jam my flist with. So I'm working on that.

Meanwhile, I have one of my patented Dumb Question for My British Friends:

When I was watching the Flotilla at the weekend, one of the BBC presenters said 'Her Royal Highness' instead of 'Her Majesty' which I immedetely felt superiour for knowing was incorrect. I know, well, I think I know, Prince Charles is 'His Royal Highness' and then I think William would be 'His Highness', right?

What I would like to know is how does one who grew up in the UK learn this? Is it taught in school on the off chance one of the Royals comes to tea? Is it protocol that only some people need to know (say, for example, a BBC presenter)? Or is it just something you learn as you go, since it's part of the culture?

(I'm reminded of the bit in Hogfather when Susan's social-climbing employer asks her, the daughter of a Duke, how one addresses the second cousin of the queen, and she answered unthinkingly 'We called him Jamie, usually.')

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Her Royal Highness *is* correct, actually. It's interchangable with "Her Majesty", depending on how official or laid back the event is.

As to posting your picture, you need to use the annoying new LJ tool thingy to size it down to 600.

Huh.

If one were to address the Queen, however, one would initially say 'Your Majesty', though, right? Then 'Ma'am' after that? I read that in a book.

That stupid new LJ tool thingy didn't give any instruction, which was my other problem, so thanks!

How's married life with you, BTW? :)

I think people are allowed to get away with Ma'am these days. Not being a fan of the Royals (although I do think Kate is stunningly, effortlessly beautiful in a way that only Princess Diana was before her) I'm honestly not certain.

I hate the new LJ uploady tool; it's pants :(

Married life is treating Dom and I very well! How about you? :)

Edited 2012-06-06 14:01 (UTC)

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II

"When in conversation with the Queen, the practice is to initially address her as Your Majesty and thereafter as Ma'am."

Which is confirmed at http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/GreetingamemberofTheRoyalFamily/Overview.aspx

So yes, you are correct.

*feels smart*

And are you taught this at school? Is there a 'royal protocol' unit one takes at some point, or is it just one of those things that gets picked up along the way?

We're going to Buckingham Palace so good to know I won't make a faux-pas should the Queen come out to say hi. :)

I was in the girl guides which pledges allegiance to the Queen and country. I was also a guider and brown owl. (adult in charge)

So bits were picked up from there, and then the rest is really general knowledge quiz type stuff.

That's if you're speaking to the Queen though - she can also be referred to as Her Royal Highness when you're talking about her, as this presenter was - you just wouldn't call her "Your Royal Highness" if you were having a conversation with her.

What they said: Her Royal Highness works as a title generally ascribed to royalty -- Your Majesty is accorded only to the Queen. Generic versus specific xD Although yes, Elizabeth asks to be addressed as ma'am (and visitors are told, 'rhymes with ham'). Some of it is general knowledge i.e. is on children's tv shows, is referenced in movies, books, etc others it's in school or in Brownies (the junior version of Girl Guides) Sometimes in church, when at Sunday School, we'd pray for the Queen.

A lot of the time it's the same way you pick up grammar - you hear the right way so often, you can 'hear' the wrong way.