majesté

Maesté is a French noun meaning majesty, grandeur, or the quality of being worthy of reverence. It derives from the Latin maiestas and across different contexts designates either the grandeur of a ruler or the sublime dignity of God or a sacred object. In secular use, majesty denotes the authority or splendor that commands awe; in religious contexts, it refers to divine glory and power.

Forms of address and etiquette: When addressing a reigning monarch, French uses “Votre Majesté” (Your Majesty) or “Sa Majesté” (His/Her Majesty). In direct speech, “Votre Majesté” is common in formal interactions; in narration or reporting, “sa majesté” may appear with lower-case “majesté” except in established titles before a name.

Legal and political aspects: In constitutional and ceremonial monarchies, majesty personifies sovereignty and the monarchical office. Some legal systems retain lèse-majesté statutes—that is, penalties for insulting or offending the monarch. Thailand and Malaysia are often cited as examples; in many democracies these laws are controversial due to concerns over free speech and political expression.

Cultural and religious usage: Beyond politics, “majesté” appears in literature, heraldry, architecture, and art as a symbol of imperial power, dignity, or divine glory. In theology, phrases like “la majesté de Dieu” express the transcendence and authority attributed to God. The term is also used metaphorically to describe anything of overwhelming grandeur.