A royal cypher is, simply, the personal symbol of a monarch. It’s their personal logo. Modern British royal cyphers typically consist of the monarch’s first initial, the letter “R” for “Rex” or “Regina”, the Latin words for “King” or “Queen”, their number if applicable, and a crown. They are used on documents, mail, on royal-approved items like money, police helmets and post boxes as well as on any buildings and landmarks that the monarch commissions.
British
monarchs have had cyphers since at least the 15th century, and many other
European monarchies have deep rooted cypher traditions that continue to this
day as well.
Cypher
vs. monogram: what’s the difference?
The
Project Gutenberg book Monograms & Ciphers distinguishes monograms and
cyphers based on how the letters interact:
“A
Monogram is a combination of two or more letters, in which one letter forms
part of another and cannot be separated from the whole. A Cipher is merely an
interlacing or placing together of two or more letters, being in no way
dependent for their parts on other of the letters.”
Who
gets royal cyphers and monograms?
In the
context of the British royal family, Gert’s Royals explains that the monarch’s
symbol is referred to as a royal cypher while the rest of the royal family’s
symbols are called monograms.
The
reigning British monarch has a royal cypher made shortly after their ascension.
Other royal family members with private
offices have custom monograms created and updated throughout their life to
reflect position changes and marriages.
Married
royal family members also get combined monograms, such as a joint Harry and
Meghan monogram.
