noun
imperial question
Formal term for a question posed by the emperor. Used in historical or ceremonial contexts.
天皇陛下の御下問に答える。
Answer a question from His Majesty the Emperor.
下問 alone means a question from a superior, but 御下問 specifically refers to an imperial question.
Compound of honorific prefix 御 (ご) and 下問 (かもん, 'question from a superior').