Loyal Toast

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The Loyal Toast is the first toast to be given at a formal gathering by the presiding person. The words used in the toast differ between countries and specific types of gatherings.

The Loyal Toast, simply the words "The Queen", is used within the United Kingdom, and by expatriates, as the first toast after a formal meal - sometimes followed by the singing of God Save the Queen, the British National Anthem. Lancastrians often say "The Queen, The Duke of Lancaster". Residents of the Channel Islands say, La Reine, notre Duc ("The Queen, our Duke"). In the Isle of Man, The Queen, Lord of Mann is said. It is customary not to smoke until the sovereign has been toasted.

In Canada, the Loyal Toast may also be offered in French, though such a rare event would honor Canada's two official languages at least as much as it would honor the queen. After dessert and coffee have been served, the host rises and asks for the audience's attention so that they may join in a toast to The Queen. Once the guests have risen, the host raises his/her glass and simply says: "The Queen/La Reine" without any other word or music. The audience responds to the toast by repeating: "The Queen/La Reine", drinks the toast, and sits. Members of the Royal Family do not respond to toasts. The Loyal Toast (i.e. the toast to The Queen) is always the first one to be proposed. Any beverage may be used for toast, except a cocktail; wine or water are preferred.

Many British institutions and military regiments have their own variations. For example, the lawyers of Lincoln's Inn traditionally take the toast sitting down. This commemorates an occasion when Charles II dined at the Inn, and the entire company was too drunk to stand up. The Royal Navy also deliver the toast seated, due to the inadvisability of standing up suddenly below decks; this custom dates from King William IV, who, having served as a naval officer, had experienced the discomfort of standing up below decks, and authorized the Royal Navy to toast him sitting down.

When ambassadors or similarly senior representatives of other heads of state are present, it has become customary for a toast to be proposed after the Loyal Toast to 'Heads of State of other countries here represented'. This would not occur if, for instance, the only such dignitary present were the Canadian High Commissioner, as the British monarch is also head of state in Canada and various other states.

A significant breach of protocol regarding the Loyal Toast occurred in 1948 when John A. Costello, the Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland visited Canada. Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, who was Governor General of Canada refused to toast the President of Ireland, only the King. This is believed by many to be an inspiration for the Republic of Ireland Act 1948, which declared Ireland to be a republic.