Cracking the Crown Code: A Guide to British Royal Lingo

| May 16, 2024

Ah, venturing into the labyrinthine lanes of London, are we? A word to the wise: to truly absorb the capital’s essence, one must get acquainted with its regal lexicon. For in London, discussing the Windsors and their kin is as quintessential as commenting on the occasionally clement weather or the latest West End spectacle.

To aid in your urban exploration and ensure you’re not left befuddled amidst erudite discussions, I’ve compiled a primer on royal parlance. Thus equipped, you can traverse London’s boulevards with the confidence of someone who’s spent many a languid afternoon at Buckingham Palace. Onward, dear reader, to linguistic enlightenment! 🎩🇬🇧

As we mark this milestone, I’m filled with gratitude for every push of the pedal that’s brought us here. Every tour has been a story, every guest a new character in the grand adventure that is Tally Ho.

1. Abdicate

Definition: The posh term for when a king or queen says, “Cheerio, I’m off!” Example: Remember that time when Edward VIII ditched the throne for love? Yep, he abdicated to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson. Ah, love over lineage, how scandalous!

2. Accession

Definition: No, not an elevator to the throne, but almost as exciting. It’s when someone steps up to become the ruler. Example: Can you believe it’s been 50 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s accession? Time flies when you’re ruling a kingdom.

3. Blue Blood

Definition: No, not the stuff in a sci-fi film. It means you’ve got some royal or aristocratic DNA. Example: Diana Spencer wasn’t just any lady; she was a woman of blue blood, mingling with the aristocrats long before the King came into the picture.

4. Commonwealth

Definition: A club of countries, most of which used to be part of the British Empire. It’s like an exclusive after-party for former colonies. Example: Liz and Phil (that’s Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to you) once toured the Commonwealth, as one does when one’s a queen.

5. Consort

Definition: The arm candy of a reigning monarch, though they’re often much more than just a pretty face. Example: The Duke of Edinburgh was more than just the guy next to the Queen; he was her consort, her partner in royal duties.

6. Crown Prince/Princess

Definition: The first in line for the throne, basically the heir apparent. Example: Before becoming King, Charles was the crown prince of the United Kingdom. A long wait, but hey, patience is a virtue.

7. Dowager

Definition: A widow with style, class, and usually a bit of property. Example: Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was the dowager queen of George VI, and oh, how she wore that title.

8. Hereditary

Definition: Passed down from generation to generation, like your grandma’s love for gin. Example: The position of King or Queen of the United Kingdom is hereditary, much like your penchant for real ale.

9. HRH

Definition: Stands for His or Her Royal Highness. It’s the royal version of Mr. or Mrs. Example: When referring to the Princess Royal, it’s Her Royal Highness to you, mate!

10. Monarchist

Definition: Someone who loves the monarchy as much as we love craft gin. Example: When Prince Harry popped the question to Meghan Markle, monarchists couldn’t contain their excitement.

11. Titled

Definition: Having a snazzy prefix like ‘Lord’, ‘Lady’, or ‘Sir’ before your name. Example: Post-nuptials, Prince Harry was given a title, which only made him even more of a catch, right?

12. Sovereign

Definition: The boss of bosses in royal terms, the top banana, the big cheese. Example: Charles has finally ascended and is now the sovereign, the reigning royal supreme.

So there you have it! Now you’re ready to embark on a Tally Ho tour, armed with a vocab that’s fit for a king… or at least a very informed commoner. Pip pip, cheerio! 🇬🇧

Jack