royal we

American  

noun

1. we.

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Etymology

Origin of royal we

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

If nothing else, that royal “we” is proof that Agatha, the so-called covenless witch, has come a long way.

From Salon

During a Saturday appearance on Newsmax, Robinson continued to claim the comments weren't from him, using the royal "we" to say that he'd never visited the site in question.

From Salon

Asked if it was weird to think of Camilla as "the Queen", Mr Parker Bowles, who is a food writer and critic, said: "Not really because she's still our mother. I say 'our' but not the royal 'we', speaking for my sister and me. She's our mother."

From BBC

He spoke to a Times reporter in the royal “we” and explained the virtues of fasting.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ll explain using the royal “we.”

From Washington Post