letters patent
plural noun
: a writing (as from a sovereign) that confers on a designated person a grant in a form open for public inspection
Examples of letters patent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But in all cases of letters patent, certain solemnities are required by law, which solemnities are the evidences of the validity of the instrument.
—
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
However, they were entitled to it automatically as children of the sons of the monarch, because of the 1917 letters patent of George V, contrary to what the Sussexes claimed in their infamous Oprah interview.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Two counselors can be appointed to act on the monarch’s behalf through what’s known as a letters patent and help keep the state ticking over.
—Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024
This is also a reminder that, unless King Charles issues a new letters patent to remove the titles, the decision is not in the monarchy's hands.
—Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 11 Mar. 2023
Along with becoming the Prince of Wales, the letters patent also decreed that William is granted the title of Earl of Chester.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2023
According to Reader's Digest, Philip was crowned prince when Elizabeth issued a letters patent.
—Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 16 Nov. 2022
This is due to a letters patent issued by King George V in 1917, which stated that only the children of the sovereign, the children of the sons of the sovereign, and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales could be princes and princesses.
—Erica Gonzales, ELLE, 8 Sep. 2022
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Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
However, they were entitled to it automatically as children of the sons of the monarch, because of the 1917 letters patent of George V, contrary to what the Sussexes claimed in their infamous Oprah interview.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Two counselors can be appointed to act on the monarch’s behalf through what’s known as a letters patent and help keep the state ticking over.
—Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024
This is also a reminder that, unless King Charles issues a new letters patent to remove the titles, the decision is not in the monarchy's hands.
—Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 11 Mar. 2023
Along with becoming the Prince of Wales, the letters patent also decreed that William is granted the title of Earl of Chester.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2023
According to Reader's Digest, Philip was crowned prince when Elizabeth issued a letters patent.
—Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 16 Nov. 2022
This is due to a letters patent issued by King George V in 1917, which stated that only the children of the sovereign, the children of the sons of the sovereign, and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales could be princes and princesses.
—Erica Gonzales, ELLE, 8 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Letters patent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/letters%20patent. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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