These are hard questions to answer because it depends on what country you are from. Different countries format their envelopes differently.
To help answer your questions, I have created a list of National Post Services with links to their website. You can find it here. They should answer some of your basic mailing/envelope questions.
You should look up how to properly format envelopes according to your country's rules. But here is the most common layout.
Most Common Layout
 |
| Front of the Envelope |
One thing every postal service asks is to write clearly on the envelope. It can be typed or handwritten in Black or Blue ink. (Other colors of ink may be hard for a mail-sorting machine to read).
Royal's Name:
The name of the Royal is important because it helps to make sure your letter gets to their office. Royal Palaces get a lot of mail each day for different royals and staff.
You can address it any way people might normally address that royal (as long as it is respectful, clearly understood, and will fit on the envelope).
For example, for King Charles of the UK you may use any of the following (or something similar):
HM King
His Majesty The King
The King
King Charles
His Majesty King Charles The Third
Charles III
KCIII
HM King of the United Kingdom
You can get more specific, and address HM in a way that is more personal to you:
HM King Charles III, Head of the Commonwealth
HM King Charles of ______ (Insert Realm)
Mr. Charles Windsor (For Anti Monarchists)
The Royal's Address:
This part is easy. We have a list of Royal Addresses, you can find it here.
Note: The addresses are sometimes written in the royal country's language. That is okay. Your country's post service doesn't need to understand the whole address, they just need to send it to the right country. Then that country's post service will deliver your letter to the right place.
We have written the "COUNTRY NAME" in English, but it is best if you translate the "COUNTRY NAME" into your country's language. That way your post service can easily send your letter to the right country. The "COUNTRY NAME" should be written in all CAPITAL LETTERS, so the sorting machines can easily read it.
This is your address, where the reply should be sent. Write your address in the way it is usually done in your country and in your country's language. (Although you could translate the COUNTRY NAME.)
Stamps:
How much postage you need will depend on your country. Letters sent internationally require more stamps than a letter sent to someone in your country. Letters that are not a standard size, shape, or thickness may need more stamps. Letters that are classified as "non-machinable" require additional postage as well. A letter may be non-machinable due to their size, shape, thickness, uneven thickness, too rigid, has clasps, buttons, string, etc. plastic envelopes, address written in wrong spot, etc.
Back to How To - Main Page
