UK Drops 'His Majesty's Government' Branding... Critics Ask, "What Is Gained by Erasing Tradition?"

UK to Use "UK Government" as Official Brand
Breaking with Conservative Tradition of "His Majesty's Government"
"Intended to Provide Clarity... Will Remain in Official Records"

The UK Labour government has decided to use "UK Government" as its official brand instead of "His Majesty's Government (HM Government)," sparking controversy.

The UK government has sparked controversy by deciding to use 'UK Government' as its official brand instead of 'His Majesty's Government (HM Government).' King Charles III. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

On February 11 (local time), Yonhap News, citing AFP, reported that "the UK Cabinet Office's Government Communication Service (GCS) has issued guidelines instructing that 'UK Government' be used as the government's official brand." Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister of State in the Cabinet Office, was quoted as telling Parliament earlier this month that "a strategic decision has been taken to adopt 'UK Government' as the primary branding for public-facing communications."

The previous Conservative government had, under its official guidelines, required the use of "His/Her Majesty's Government," including the abbreviation "HM" for "Her/His Majesty's," as the government brand unless there was a particular reason not to. The new policy reverses that stance.

In the United Kingdom, where the monarchy is still in place, critics argue that the government is trying to erase the tradition of referring to the sovereign as "His Majesty." Alex Burghart, the Conservative Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said, "Quietly erasing tradition is exactly the sort of thing Labour would do," and pointedly asked, "What benefit will this change bring?" Greg Smith, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade, likewise condemned the move as "another step by Labour to undermine our constitution, our history, and our traditions." By contrast, Graham Smith, head of Republic, a group that campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy, said, "I don't know why the government is doing this, but it is a step in the right direction," adding that it "aligns with the government's purpose of serving the people, not those in power."

As the controversy continued, a government spokesperson explained, "In order to provide clarity to the public, we have recommended using 'UK Government' at the time of announcements instead of departments' names or logos," and clarified that "'His Majesty's Government' will continue to be used in official records."

Recently, allegations linking Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, to Jeffrey Epstein have surfaced. AP, Yonhap News

There has long been public support in the UK for abolishing the monarchy. On top of this, politics has been roiled recently by allegations concerning Jeffrey Epstein involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III. Once known as "Prince Andrew" and a dominant figure in high society around the world, he was effectively expelled from the royal family after his improper relationship with the sex offender Epstein was exposed.

According to a poll conducted by survey firm Savanta for Republic and released on February 9, support for the monarchy stood at 45%. In a YouGov survey in mid-January, it had been 59%.

A recent YouGov poll commissioned by Sky News found that responses to whether Charles III is handling his brother's Epstein-related scandal well varied significantly by party affiliation. The proportion of respondents who said he was handling it well was 67% among Conservative Party supporters, 52% among Labour Party supporters, 51% among Reform UK supporters, and 26% among Green Party supporters. Views on whether Charles III should apologize on behalf of the royal family to Epstein's victims also differed markedly by party. Among Green Party supporters, 61% said he should apologize, compared with 44% of Labour supporters, 25% of Reform UK supporters, and 21% of Conservative supporters.

Buckingham Palace, the seat of the British royal family, said on February 9, "King Charles III has expressed deep concern about the continuing allegations regarding Andrew's misconduct," adding, "Andrew himself is the one who must answer these allegations, but if the police open an investigation and request cooperation from the royal household, we stand ready to comply." The Palace also said, "The King and Queen extend their deepest sympathies to all victims of the Epstein affair."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.