Royal we

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/royal-we

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the formal terminology?Pluralis maiestatis (Latin for 'plural of majesty')
2. What is the broader linguistic category?Nosism (the use of plural pronouns to refer to oneself)
3. Why do kings and queens use the Royal We?They use it to show that they have big authority and that they are the voice of the nation. It makes their words feel more important and shows that they are thinking about everyone.
4. How does the Royal We change words?When a king or queen says "we," they change the words: "I" becomes "we," "my" becomes "our," and the verb also changes, like "I am" becomes "We are."

Pluralis maiestatis: Latin for 'plural of majesty,' referring to the royal we.
Nosism: The general practice of using plural pronouns (we, us, our) to refer to oneself.
Rhetorical strategy: A technique used in speaking or writing to persuade or impress an audience.