Majesteit

Majesteit is a Dutch noun meaning majesty. It is used to refer to the dignity or office of a monarch and serves as a form of formal address to the sovereign. In direct address, it is common to say Uw Majesteit (Your Majesty). When speaking about the monarch in the third person, forms such as Zijne Majesteit (His Majesty) or Hare Majesteit (Her Majesty) are used.

Etymology and origin: Majesteit is a loanword from French majesté, which itself derives from Latin majestās, meaning greatness or eminence. The term has been part of Dutch ceremonial and diplomatic language for several centuries, especially in connection with monarchies and royal institutions.

Usage and context: Majesteit appears in official communications, legal and constitutional texts, royal ceremonies, and media that refer to the sovereign with formality and reverence. In most modern contexts, its use is largely confined to royal contexts in the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders), where constitutional monarchies maintain formal traditions of address. The term emphasizes the sovereign’s dignity rather than the person alone and is distinct from ordinary or informal references to a king or queen.

Notes: While primarily associated with royalty, Majesteit can surface in metaphorical or ceremonial language in literature and culture, where it may convey grandeur or solemnity. It is not used as a general respectful term for others outside royal contexts.