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Royal 'we'

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ludwig | 09:25 Wed 25th May 2005 | Phrases & Sayings
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When and why did the monarch start referring to them selves in the plural?
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Pluralis Majestatis ("Majestic Plural") or 'Royal We' (no sniggering at the back) is the idea that a monarch or other high official always speaks for their people.  It is also referred to as the 'Victorian We'.

Examples of purported instances:

We are not amused. Queen Victoria (in at least one account of this quotation, though, she was not speaking for herself alone, but for the ladies of the court.)

We are a grandmother. Margaret Thatcher announcing the birth of Mark Thatcher's son Michael in 1990.

It was said that United States Navy Admiral Hyman G. Rickover told a subordinate that used the Royal We: "Three groups are permitted that usage: pregnant women, royalty, and schizophrenics. Which one are you?"
As to the start of this usage, the earliest recorded example in English appears to have been King Henry VI in the mid 15th century. I am unsure whether such plural forms of the 'style royal' existed earlier in other languages.
I forgot to add to my earlier response that by 'earliest' I meant as used by an actual historical English monarch. In fact, there is an example of the usage as far back as 'Beowulf', the 10th century poem.

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