Princess Facts For Kids
A princess is a woman in a royal family who may be a daughter, wife, or ruler, a small-country leader with monarch power.
About this topic
The male word for princess is prince. That word comes from an old Latin word, princeps, which meant the main or first citizen. A special kind of princess, a crown princess, may be the next ruler-to-be or the wife of that next ruler.
Quick Facts
Key Points
📘 Princess As A Substantive Title
For example, a woman named Constance of Antioch ruled as a princess regnant in the 1100s. In a different idea, the tiny country of Andorra is run by two leaders; because one leader is the president of France, it is possible, at least on paper, that a princess could share that job one day.
🔎 Princess As A Courtesy Title – Descendants Of Monarchs
Sometimes a marriage contract or legal paper would call a royal daughter a princess. Over time, countries changed rules so that more daughters and other close family members received the title princess as a courtesy, to show their place in the royal family.
🧭 Princess As A Courtesy Title – Wives Of Princes
Queen Victoria confirmed these written rules, called letters patent, in 1864 so everyone would follow them. More recently, on 31 December 2012, Queen Elizabeth II used letters patent to say that all children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales should have the royal title and the style "His or Her Royal Highness."
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Frequently asked questions
What is a princess?
A princess is a word used for some women in royal families. She can be the daughter of a king or queen, the wife of a prince, or the ruler herself.
What is a crown princess?
A crown princess is a special kind of princess who may be the next ruler-to-be or the wife of the next ruler.
What is a princess regnant?
A princess regnant is a princess with real ruling power. There have been fewer ruling princesses than ruling princes because in the past many places did not let women inherit the throne.
What is a courtesy title?
A courtesy title is a name people use for a royal person even when it does not mean they rule. Daughters of a king or queen in Britain were sometimes called "Lady" long ago, and over time more family members received the title princess as a courtesy.
How did the use of 'princess' change for daughters in Britain?
Long ago, daughters of a king or queen were not always called princesses and might be called Lady. Over time, more daughters and other close family members received the title princess as a courtesy to show their place in the royal family.
Do wives of princes get to be called princesses?
Yes. Many wives of princes are called princesses as a courtesy, to show their connection to a prince rather than that they rule.