Today, April 21, is Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday (or one of them, at least). To celebrate, we’re looking at what people mean when they refer to “Queen’s English.”
Oddly, this isn’t quite how the Queen speaks these days! However, we’ll also look at some other quirks of how the British royal family used the English language.
When people refer to “Queen’s English,” they mean the style of English traditionally spoken by educated people of high social class in the UK.
The Queen is perhaps the most obvious example of this (you can’t get much posher than royalty, after all). But it is also associated with things like the BBC, where Queen’s English used to be compulsory for presenters.
Better known as Received Pronunciation (or “RP” for short), this way of speaking and writing is traditionally very formal. Other key features include:
While instantly recognizable as the voice of the upper classes in the UK, received pronunciation is much rarer these days. The BBC now boasts a range of regional voices, for example. And even the Queen’s accent has changed over her reign!
So, even the Queen doesn’t use Queen’s English these days. However, the British royal family is associated with a few more linguistic quirks, which we’ll look at next.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
The royal “we,” or majestic plural, is a grammatical quirk where someone refers to themselves with the plural pronoun “we” instead of the singular “I.” It is probably most associated with Queen Victoria and the phrase “We are not amused.”
King Henry II adopted this royal “we” to show his power was bestowed by God and that he and said deity were acting as one. Monarchs, popes, and politicians have all used the royal “we” since, although the practice is less common now.
As a non-monarch, using it may even lead to ridicule. When Margaret Thatcher used the royal “we” to announce she had become a grandmother in 1989, for example, she was widely mocked for comparing herself to the Queen.
There are various words the British royal family is said to avoid, including:
Does the Queen really never use the word “toilet” when she goes for a royal wee? Who knows! Nevertheless, if you find yourself moving in royal circles and want to make a good impression, you might want to avoid these words.
To make sure your formal writing is up to royal standards, make sure to get your documents proofread by our expert editors. And if you want to see how our services work, upload a free trial document for proofreading today.
Δ
5-minute read
Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...
6-minute read
If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...
9-minute read
Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...
8-minute read
Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...
7-minute read
Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...
4-minute read
Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...