What royal titles are available?

There are many royal titles that exist across different monarchies around the world. The availability of specific titles depends on the rules and traditions of each royal house. However, there are some common types of titles used in multiple monarchies.

British Royal Titles

The British royal family has a complex system of titles and forms of address that denote a person’s relationship to the monarch. The main titles in use for members of the British royal family are:

His/Her Majesty – The King or Queen
His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) – Used for senior members of the royal family such as the monarch’s children and grandchildren.
His/Her Grace – Used for non-royal dukes and duchesses who are part of the peerage.

Lord/Lady – Used for non-royal members of the peerage such as earls, viscounts, barons.

More specific British royal titles include:

The Prince/Princess of Wales – Held by the eldest son and heir apparent of the monarch.

The Duke/Duchess of Cambridge – Currently held by Prince William and Catherine.
The Duke/Duchess of Sussex – Currently held by Prince Harry and Meghan.
The Duke/Duchess of York – Traditionally held by the monarch’s second son, currently held by Prince Andrew.

The Earl/Countess of Wessex – Currently held by Prince Edward and Sophie.
The Princess Royal – Traditionally held by the monarch’s eldest daughter, currently held by Princess Anne.

Other European Royal Titles

Some common royal titles used in other European monarchies include:

King/Queen – The monarch.
Grand Duke/Grand Duchess – Used in Luxembourg, historical German states.
Archduke/Archduchess – Used historically in Austria-Hungary.

Prince/Princess – For members of the royal family.
Duke/Duchess – A high-ranking noble title.
Count/Countess – A lower ranking noble title.

Baron/Baroness – Lowest rank in the nobility.

Specific titles used in European monarchies include:

Prince/Princess of Asturias – Title for the heir apparent in Spain.

Crown Prince/Crown Princess – Heir apparent in Norway, Sweden, Denmark.
Dauphin of France – Historically for the heir apparent of France.
Prince of Orange – Title traditionally held by the heir apparent of the Netherlands.

Hereditary Prince/Princess – Heir apparent in Liechtenstein, Monaco, former German states.

Titles in Asian Monarchies

Some common royal titles used in Asian monarchies include:

Emperor/Empress – The monarch of Japan, historical China, Korea, Vietnam.

King/Queen – Used in Thailand, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia.
Sultan/Sultana – Used in Brunei, Oman, historical Ottoman Empire.
Sheikh – Used for royal families in the Middle East.

Emir – Ruler in the Middle East, Central Asia.
Prince/Princess – For members of the royal family.

Specific Asian royal titles include:

Crown Prince/Princess – Heir apparent in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Thailand.
Wang/Wangba – Title for princes in Korea.
Maharaja/Maharani – Indian princely ruler title.

Shahzada/Shahzadi – Title for princes/princesses in India, Afghanistan.
Druk Gyalpo – Title for the king in Bhutan.

African Royal Titles

Royal titles used in Africa include:

King/Queen – Used in constitutional monarchies like Morocco.
Prince/Princess – For members of royal families.
Sheikh – Used for tribal leaders and royals in parts of North Africa.

Emir – Used for Islamic rulers in parts of North Africa.
Oba/Olori – The king/queen in Yoruba kingdoms of Nigeria.
Kabaka – Title for the king in the Buganda Kingdom of Uganda.

Some specific African titles include:

Negus – Emperor in Ethiopia.
Asantehene – Title for the king of the Ashanti in Ghana.

Omukama – King in western Uganda.
Sarkin – Ruler of a domain in parts of Nigeria.

Titles in Middle Eastern Monarchies

Common royal titles used in the Middle Eastern monarchies include:

Sultan – Ruler in Oman, Brunei.
Emir – Ruler in Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates.
King – Used in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain.

Sheikh – Used by tribal leaders and royals in the region.
Prince/Princess – For members of royal families.

Some specific Middle Eastern royal titles are:

Crown Prince – Heir apparent in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain.
Amir al-Umara – Historically the heir apparent in Oman.
Sheikh al-Khalifa – Used by the royal family of Bahrain.

Sheikh al-Thani – Used by the royal family of Qatar.

Conclusion

Royal titles differ across the various monarchies of the world, but often denote the relationship to the monarch, level of royalty, or status as heir apparent. The diversity of titles reflects the unique cultures and histories of different royal dynasties. However, common titles like King/Queen, Prince/Princess and Duke/Duchess appear in many monarchies. The specific combination of titles and forms of address establishes protocol and hierarchy within each royal family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest royal title?

The highest royal title is generally King or Queen, which denotes the monarch or sovereign ruler of a kingdom. In some cultures, Emperor or Empress may be considered higher still or equivalent to a King or Queen.

What makes someone a Prince or Princess?

Prince and Princess titles are usually given to members of a monarch’s or sovereign’s family. The children and grandchildren of a king or queen are typically princes and princesses. The children of a sovereign prince may also be titled Prince/Princess.

Can a Duke or Duchess become a King or Queen?

Typically, a Duke or Duchess cannot become a King or Queen simply by virtue of their dukedom. Usually, the title of King or Queen is hereditary or passed down through a royal dynasty. However, in rare circumstances, a duke or duchess may be elected or installed as a monarch, at which point they could take the title King or Queen.

What’s the difference between a Duke and a Prince?

A Duke is a high-ranking noble title that may be hereditary or granted, while a Prince is a title reserved for royalty. All princes also receive a dukedom, so they use both Prince and Duke in their titles. However, not all Dukes are Princes. The children of the monarch are Princes, while other extended family may be made Dukes.

Can a commoner become royalty if they marry a Prince or Princess?

Typically, a commoner who marries a Prince or Princess will be granted a royal title. For example, Kate Middleton became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge upon marrying Prince William. The specific title bestowed depends on the traditions of the royal house they are marrying into.

Royal Title Inheritance and Succession

Royal titles are passed down according to the established succession traditions and laws of each monarchy. Here are some key aspects of royal title inheritance:

The title King or Queen is usually passed from monarch to their heir apparent who is titled Crown Prince/Princess.

The heir apparent may receive additional titles denoting their status such as Prince/Princess of Wales in Britain.
Younger children of the monarch traditionally receive Prince/Princess titles at birth.
When a Prince or Princess marries, their spouse may receive a royal title such as Duke/Duchess.

The children of a Prince or Princess may inherit the Prince/Princess title from their royal parent.
If the monarch’s sibling passes, their titles may be inherited by their children.
Some titles may merge with the Crown when holders pass without heirs.

Changes in government may alter which titles continue in the royal family.

Succession laws determine the heritage of titles to maintain passing them down through dynasties. The laws may be based on primogeniture (eldest child inherits), agnatic (male-preference), or absolute (gender neutral). Some monarchies allow the monarch to determine succession, while others follow binding legal succession.

Noteworthy Royals Without Titles

In some cases, members of royal families do not hold titles, often because they are too far removed from the throne or have given them up. Some noteworthy royals without titles include:

Zara Tindall – Daughter of Princess Anne of Britain, does not have a title by choice.
Princess Madeleine of Sweden – Gave up her “Royal Highness” status when she married a commoner.
Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark – Descendant of Greek and Danish royal families but holds no title.

Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau – Lost his Dutch royal title after marrying without approval.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway – Only uses “Princess” as a courtesy title with no succession rights.

Royals may choose to give up titles to lead more private lives, marry commoners, or earn their own livings. Sovereigns may also strip royals of titles if they break rules or fall out of favor. But they still remain part of the extended royal family.

Use of Royal Titles

Royals with titles generally use them in the following ways according to tradition and royal protocol:

In formal settings – Ceremonial events, official documents, stamps, etc.
As a form of address – Your Royal Highness, My Lord, etc.

With their name – Princess Margaret, Prince William, etc.
In conjunction with another title – Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
As a placeholder – The Queen, The Prince of Wales, etc.

However, in more informal daily life or some professional roles, royals may use less formal names or drop titles. For example, Prince William goes by William Wales when serving in the military.

The use of titles is governed by complex rules and traditions in each royal house. Protocol officials typically oversee proper title usage on behalf of the sovereign.

Creating New Royal Titles

Sovereigns have the power to create new royal titles for members of their families, usually in conjunction with a land grant, designation, or in honor of their new roles. Some ways new titles are created:

When a monarch ascends, titles are often granted to family members.
Upon marriage, new titles may be granted to spouses of royals.
To designate roles like heir apparent or regent.

To commemorate special occasions like jubilees, coronations.
To honor relatives by elevating their existing titles.
To grant nobility titles connected to lands or incomes.

However, there are limits on creating new titles – they must fit within the hierarchy, not devalue existing titles, and adhere to laws like a maximum number of peers in Parliament. Most new titles conform to long-standing traditions.

Table of Current British Royal Titles

Member	Title
Queen Elizabeth II	Her Majesty The Queen
Prince Philip	His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Charles	His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall	Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall
Prince William	His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge

This table gives examples of the current royal titles used by senior members of the British royal family, denoting their relationship to Queen Elizabeth II.

Contemporary Issues With Royal Titles

Some debates and issues exist around royal titles in modern times:

Some argue titles are outdated, unfair, and promote inequality.
Rules preventing female royals from inheriting titles have been challenged.
Restrictions on royals marrying commoners have been disputed.

Revocation of titles as punishment is controversial in some cases.
Giving titles at birth is seen as undemocratic by some critics.
Multi-national couples can create confusion around titles for children.

Republican movements oppose inherited titles as undemocratic.

However, supporters argue titles are cultural tradition, honor history and service, promote national identity, and encourage duty to country.

Many monarchies are responding by modernizing title usage and succession laws. But substantial reform remains constrained by tradition and public opinion.

Conclusion

Royal titles represent an intricate system of hierarchy, status, and honor in monarchies across the globe. While specific titles vary by country and culture, common types include King/Queen, Prince/Princess, Duke/Duchess, and lesser noble ranks. The intricacies of royal titles reflect the long, complex histories of different dynasties and royal houses. However, as monarchies adapt to modern times, royal title usage and regulations continue to evolve as well.