Royal describes something related to a king, queen, or their family. It can also mean something very grand, impressive, or of the highest quality.
From Old French *roial*, from Latin *regalis*, meaning 'kingly', from *rex* meaning 'king'. Over time, the spelling shifted under French influence, but the sense of 'belonging to a ruler' stayed.
Words like *royal*, *regal*, and *reign* are cousins, all tracing back to the Latin word for king. English kept both the French-flavored *royal* and the Latin-flavored *regal*, so we can talk about a 'royal family' but also a 'regal style'. The language itself feels like it has a built‑in class system.
Terms related to royalty historically encoded strict gender roles, succession rules, and power distributions that often favored male heirs and sidelined queens’ authority. Language around "royal" duties and virtues has frequently reflected and reinforced these gendered hierarchies.
When discussing royal titles or institutions, be precise about gendered succession laws and how they have changed, rather than assuming male default. Use gender-neutral phrasing (e.g., "the monarch") when gender is irrelevant.
["monarchic","sovereign","state","official"]
Some queens and royal women have wielded significant political power despite legal and cultural constraints, though their roles are often simplified or romanticized in popular narratives.
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