In the Commonwealth realms, a Royal Style and Titles Act or a Royal Titles Act is an

Act of Parliament Acts of Parliament, sometimes referred to as primary legislation, are texts of law passed by the Legislature, legislative body of a jurisdiction (often a parliament or council). In most countries with a parliamentary system of government, acts of ...

passed in the relevant jurisdiction which defines the sovereign's formal

title A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify either generation, an official position, or a professional or academic qualification. In some languages, titles may be inserted between the f ...

in that jurisdiction. The most significant of these acts is the

Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Royal, Iowa, a c ...

of the United Kingdom, which recognised the creation of the

Irish Free State The Irish Free State ( ga, Saorstát Éireann, , ; 6 December 192229 December 1937) was a state established in December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty ended the three-year Irish War of Independence between ...

, a development that necessitated a change in King

George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother Qu ...

's title. In December 1952, the governments of

Commonwealth realms A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state in the Commonwealth of Nations whose monarch and head of state is shared among the other realms. Each realm functions as an independent state, equal with the other realms and nations of the Commonweal ...

agreed that each realm would adopt its own royal titles.

Antigua and Barbuda

''The Royal Titles Act, 1981'' of the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda gave Parliament's assent to the adoption of a separate title by the monarch in relation to Antigua and Barbuda. Since the Governor-General's Proclamation dated 11 February 1982, the monarch's official title has been: "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Antigua and Barbuda and of His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth".

Australia

In Australia, the monarch's title has been since 9 September 2022: "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth". Typically, though, the sovereign is styled ''King of Australia'' and is addressed as such when in Australia or performing duties on behalf of Australia abroad. The sovereign is the only member of the Royal Family to have a title established through Australian law; other members are accorded a title via letters patent in the United Kingdom.

Canada

The

Canadian parliament The Parliament of Canada (french: Parlement du Canada) is the federal legislature of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and is composed of three parts: the King, the Senate, and the House of Commons. By constitutional convention, the ...

passed in 1947 the Royal Style and Titles Act and an

Order in Council An Order-in-Council is a type of legislation in many countries, especially the Commonwealth realms. In the United Kingdom this legislation is formally made in the name of the monarch by and with the advice and consent of the Privy Council (''Kin ...

was issued on 22 June the following year to remove the term ''

Emperor of India Emperor or Empress of India was a title used by British monarchs from 1 May 1876 (with the Royal Titles Act 1876) to 22 June 1948, that was used to signify their rule over British India, as its imperial head of state. Royal Proclamation of 22 ...

'' from the sovereign's Canadian title. In 1953, the Canadian parliament passed the Royal Style and Titles Act, consenting to the issue of a royal proclamation changing the royal style and titles. Subsequently, the relevant royal proclamation was issued on May 28 declaring the official styles in Canada to be, in

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, and, in French: ''Elizabeth Deux, par la grâce de Dieu Reine du Royaume-Uni, du Canada et de ses autres royaumes et territoires, Chef du Commonwealth, Défenseur de la Foi''.Proclamation of May 28, 1953
published in the Canada Gazette, volume 87, number 6, Extra, 29 May 1953, pages 1-2 In the

proclamation A proclamation (Lat. ''proclamare'', to make public by announcement) is an official declaration issued by a person of authority to make certain announcements known. Proclamations are currently used within the governing framework of some nations ...

King Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. He was the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales and, at age 73, became the oldest person to a ...

the Royal title used was, in English: "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and His other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith" And in French: "Charles Trois, par la Grâce de Dieu, Roi du Royaume-Uni, du Canada et de ses autres royaumes et territoires, Chef du Commonwealth, Défenseur de la Foi"

Ceylon

The Royal Titles Act 1953 of the Parliament of Ceylon granted the Ceylonese monarch a separate title for use in Ceylon. Under the act, the title and style of the Ceylonese monarch was: "Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Ceylon and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth".

The Gambia

The Royal Style and Titles Act 1965 of the Parliament of Gambia granted the monarch a separate title for use in the Gambia, in her role as Queen of the Gambia. Under the Act, the title and style of the Gambian monarch was: "Elizabeth the Second, Queen of The Gambia and all Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth".

Ghana

The Royal Style and Titles Act 1957 of the Parliament of Ghana granted the monarch a separate title for use in Ghana. Under the Act, the title and style of the Ghanaian monarch was: "Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Ghana and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth".

New Zealand

One of the first post-

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

examples of New Zealand's status as an independent monarchy was the alteration of the monarch's title by the Royal Titles Act 1953. For the first time, the official New Zealand title mentioned New Zealand separately from the United Kingdom and the other realms, to highlight the monarch's role specifically as Sovereign of New Zealand, as well as the shared aspect of the Crown throughout the realms; the title created from this act was: Elizabeth ''II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith''. Since the passage of the Royal Titles Act 1974, the monarch's title in New Zealand has been ''Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories,

Head of the Commonwealth The head of the Commonwealth is the ceremonial leader who symbolises "the free association of independent member nations" of the Commonwealth of Nations, an intergovernmental organisation that currently comprises 56 sovereign states. There is ...

, Defender of the Faith''. The King's title as given in the 2022

Proclamation of accession of Charles III Charles III acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom and the thrones of the other Commonwealth realms upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, on the afternoon of 8 September 2022. Royal succession in the realms occurs immediately upon ...

is: "King Charles III, By the Grace of God King of New Zealand and of His Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith" Although the Kings's New Zealand title includes the phrase 'Defender of the Faith', neither the King nor the governor-general has any religious role in New Zealand; there has never been an established church in the country. This is one of the key differences from the King's role in

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

, where he is Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Nigeria

The Royal Style and Titles Act 1961 of the Parliament of Nigeria granted the monarch a separate title for use in Nigeria. Under the Act, the title and style of the Ghanaian monarch was: "Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Nigeria and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth". An introductory part of the style, ''

By the Grace of God By the Grace of God ( la, Dei Gratia, abbreviated D.G.) is a formulaic phrase used especially in Christian monarchies as an introductory part of the full styles of a monarch. For example in England and later the United Kingdom, the phrase was fo ...

'', was nevertheless added in official use.

Sierra Leone

The Royal Style and Titles Act 1961 of the

Sierra Leonean Parliament Parliament of Sierra Leone is the legislative branch of the government of Sierra Leone. It is principally responsible for making laws. The Sierra Leone parliament consists of 146 members, of which 132 members are directly elected from across Si ...

granted the monarch a separate title in her role as Queen of Sierra Leone. Under the Act, the official title of the Sierra Leonean monarch became: "Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Sierra Leone and of Her Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth".

Solomon Islands

The Royal Style and Titles Act 2013 of the

National Parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. Th ...

of Solomon Islands granted the monarch a separate title in her role as Queen of Solomon Islands. The new style was already in non-statutory use since 1988, when it was included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Manual. The current style of the monarch of Solomon Islands is: "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Solomon Islands and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth".Royal Style and Titles Act 2013 (passed by the National Parliament 1 Aug 2013, received royal assent 10 Oct 2013) and went into effect upon its publication in
supplement
to the ''Solomon Islands Gazette'', No. 82, Extra, 1 Nov 2013.

South Africa

The Royal Style and Titles Act 1953 of the Parliament of South Africa granted the monarch (at the time Queen Elizabeth II) a separate title in her role as Queen of South Africa. The new style was rendered in three languages: *In English: Elizabeth II, Queen of South Africa and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth *In Afrikaans: ''Elizabeth II, Koningin van Suid-Afrika en van Haar ander Koninkryke en Gebiede, Hoof van die Statebond''Act 6 of 1953 "Royal Style and Titles Act, 1953"
The Union of South Africa Government Gazette Extraordinary, vol. CLXXI, 4 March 1953, pages 12-13Archived
/ref> *In Latin: ''Elizabeth II, Africae Australis regnorumque suo rum ceterorum Regina, consortionis populorum Princeps''

Tuvalu

The Royal Style and Title Act 1987 of the Tuvaluan Parliament granted the monarch (at the time Queen Elizabeth II) a separate title in her role as Queen of Tuvalu. The current style of the Tuvaluan monarch is: Charles ''the Third, by the Grace of God King of Tuvalu and of His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth''.

United Kingdom

The

Royal Titles Act 1901 The addition was removed from the monarch's title by a proclamation made under the Royal Titles Act 1953 Royal Titles Act 1953 may refer to: * Royal Titles Act 1953 (Ceylon) *Royal Titles Act 1953 (United Kingdom) The Royal Titles Act 1953 ...

allowed for the addition of the words "and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas" to the monarch's title. The

was amended in 1948 by the

Indian Independence Act 1947 The Indian Independence Act 1947 947 CHAPTER 30 10 and 11 Geo 6is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into the two new independent dominions of India and Pakistan. The Act received Royal Assent on 18 Ju ...

so as to omit the words ''Emperor of India'' from the monarch's title in the United Kingdom. King

George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of I ...

's title became: George VI

by the Grace of God By the Grace of God ( la, Dei Gratia, abbreviated D.G.) is a formulaic phrase used especially in Christian monarchies as an introductory part of the full styles of a monarch. For example in England and later the United Kingdom, the phrase was fo ...

of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith. The Royal Titles Act 1953 specified that it applied only to the United Kingdom and those overseas territories whose foreign relations were controlled by the UK. The legislation tidied up the use of the title '' King of Ireland'', following

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

's transition to a republic in 1949. As authorised by the Act, Elizabeth proclaimed that her title in the United Kingdom would be, equivalently in English and (for the first time) in Latin: "Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith" and ''Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regnorumque Suorum Ceterorum Regina, Consortionis Populorum Princeps, Fidei Defensor''. The title of the Sovereign in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

is: "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith" And in Latin: "Carolus III, Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regnorumque Suorum Ceterorum Rex, Consortionis Populorum Princeps, Fidei Defensor"

References

External links

{{wikisource, Royal Style and Titles Act
Royal Titles Act 1953, c 9
(United Kingdom)
An Act Relating to the Royal Style and Titles 1953 (Australia)

Royal Style and Titles Act 1973 (Australia)
from

Federal Register of Legislation The Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) is an Australian Commonwealth government agency established under the ''Parliamentary Counsel Act 1970'' (Cth) within the Commonwealth Attorney-General's portfolio. OPC drafts all government Bills that ...

. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
Royal Style and Titles Act 1973 (South Australia)

Act 6 of 1953 "Royal Style and Titles Act, 1953 (South Africa)
from the Union of South Africa Government Gazette Extraordinary, vol. CLXXI, 4 March 1953, pages 12-13 - official titles in Latin, English, and Afrikaans (prior to declaration of republic in 1961) British Empire British monarchy Commonwealth royal styles