The Royal We

The royal we, also called the majestic plural, is a usage by kings and popes to refer to themselves in their official status.  It began in pontifical correspondence, used by popes and cardinals, or by anyone invested with papal authority.  Thus, in 1191, when William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely and Justiciar of England, used it, he was speaking not only in his capacity as justiciar, but also as a papal representative.  He was resented by the other barons, who assumed that he was taking on royal airs.  However, kings and queens also took to using we and our, when they were speaking as "we, by the Grace of God, King/Queen of England, and of all our other realms and territories king/queen..."  In modern times, the majestic plural is a written rather than spoken form.  It's retained in papal documents that are written in Latin.  For kings who write to fellow sovereigns, the term I is used.  When addressing presidents and prime ministers, the term we and our is used instead.

This usage is similar to the royal one, which the current Queen sometimes uses in referring to herself, and is often spoofed for doing so.