Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

royal-we

noun

/ˈrɔɪ.əl wiː/

Definition

A first-person plural pronoun used by a person of royal or high status to refer to themselves.

Examples

When asked about her decisions, the queen replied, ‘We have decided to support the new initiative.’
The king addressed his subjects, saying, ‘We are pleased to announce the festivities this weekend.’

Meaning

The royal we is a linguistic term used when a monarch or a person of authority speaks about themselves in plural form, which conveys a sense of grandeur or collective identity.