HRH

Writing & Everyday abbreviation · Title and Honorific

HRH
Stands forHis or Her Royal Highness
CategoriesWriting & Everyday

HRH stands for His or Her Royal Highness, a title and honorific abbreviation.

Royal style used for members of royal families, such as the children and male-line grandchildren of a British monarch. It appears before the title and name in official announcements, invitations and the Court Circular.

Example: HRH The Princess Royal will open the new children's hospital wing on 12 May.

Usage notes

Letters patent issued by George V in 1917 limited the British style to the monarch's children, male-line grandchildren and the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales; Elizabeth II extended it in 2012 to all children of the Prince of Wales's eldest son. Spoken address is "Your Royal Highness," then "Sir" or "Ma'am."

More title and honorific abbreviations

  • DS – Detective Sergeant
  • Esq. – Esquire
  • Gov. – Governor
  • H.E. – His or Her Excellency
  • HM – His or Her Majesty
  • Hon. – Honorable
  • HSH – His or Her Serene Highness
  • Insp. – Inspector
  • Jr. – Junior
  • KBE – Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  • Kt. – Knight
  • Lt. Gov. – Lieutenant Governor

See all 54 title and honorific abbreviations →