Court of St James - Definition and Overview

The Court of St James's is the popular name of the royal court of the United Kingdom. The court is considered to sit wherever the Sovereign happens to be. Thus meetings of the Privy Council may occur at the Court at Buckingham Palace, at Windsor Castle, typically during Easter and at The Palace of Holyroodhouse or Balmoral Castle during Christmas and summer.

The Court of St James's Palace, refers to the palace now used as the administrative centre of royal business. It was the official royal residence from 1702 until 1837. The name is now usually used only when accrediting and receiving ambassadors. Commonwealth High Commissioners are treated equally with ambassadors, but are credited "to the United Kingdom," rather than to the Sovereign and his or her Court.

Example Usage of Court