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European Etiquette in Addressing Letters

Letters to the Queen; to the Prince and Princess of Wales; to relatives of the Queen; to Dukes, Duchesses, Marquises, Earles, Countesses, etc., etc.; to Judges; Members of the Privy Council, Clergymen, etc.

Letters for her Majesty the Queen are sent under cover, either to the Prime Minister, or to whomsoever has charge for the time being of her Majesty's private correspondence. The inclosure is directed "To her Majesty the Queen." Official communications are ordinarily addressed, "To the Queen's most excellent Majesty." Letters to the Queen should be commenced, "Madam," or "Most gracious Sovereign," or "May it please your Majesty," according to the nature of the communication; and should be concluded, "I have the honor to remain, with the profoundest respect, madam, your Majesty's most faithful and dutiful subject. Letters for the Prince and Princess of Wales should be sent under cover to Lieut.-Col. Knollys, and the inclosure directed to "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales," or, "Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales." The sons and daughters, brothers, and sisters, and uncles and aunts of the Queen, are all addressed as "Royal Highness," but her Majesty's nephews and cousins are addressed simply as "Your Highness."