Loyal toast

The toast is usually initiated and recited by the host before being repeated by the assembled guests in unison; the composition varying between regions and types of gathering.

[2] Throughout the Commonwealth realms, the loyal toast is most commonly composed solely of the words "The Queen"[3] or "The King" (as appropriate), though this may be elaborated with mention of the monarch's position as head of a particular state, such as in Canada, where the Canadian Armed Forces codifies the loyal toast as "Ladies and gentlemen, the King of Canada".

The lawyers of Lincoln's Inn also traditionally take the toast sitting down, a custom dating to the reign of British king Charles II.

[13] The loyal toast was the catalyst for international friction in 1948, when the Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland, then John A. Costello, made an official visit to Canada.

An irked Costello stated to a reporter the following day that he would prompt the Irish Parliament to repeal the Executive Authority Act, and declare Ireland as a republic,[14] which was done later that year.

In 2000, Captain Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh, a professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, petitioned to be personally excused from, amongst other displays of loyalty, having to stand and participate in the loyal toast.

In wardrooms and officer's messes during formal dinners, the custom is that the Royal Hymn can be sung after the loyal toast, even when the king is not present.

[citation needed] At formal military social occasions, the first toast is traditionally to "the President of the United States", who is commander in chief of U.S. armed forces.