The meaning of each of the noble titles used by royals

Recently, many movies and series about British royalty have been released. the most recent is The Crown, a super production that shows the backstage of the royal family very well. When we see these works, we learn a little more about princesses, dukes, counts and marquises. These titles began to be granted in antiquity as a legal and fiscal privilege. However, the situation nowadays has changed. Currently, a noble title is accompanied by an honorary and symbolic character, therefore without privileges.

O awesome.club decided to research the titles of nobility used mainly in Spain and the United Kingdom to understand what they mean and what it takes to get them.

It is the one who occupies the throne by right (according to the succession rules established by the Constitution) and, therefore, assumes the functions of head of state.

When the holder of the crown is a man, he is called a king, but when it is a woman, the denomination usually used is constitutional queen or titular queen, to mark the difference from the queen consort — the queen who is married to the reigning monarch. Another form used is the word monarch. In all cases they receive the treatment of “majesty”.

When the holder of the crown is a man, his wife is called a queen and is given the treatment of “majesty”. But when it comes to a woman, the husband is called the prince or consort of the queen, and the treatment received is “royal highness”. The two are recognized in this way while they are married or when they are widowed.

For example, Philip is Prince Consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano is Queen Consort of Spain for being married to King Felipe VI.

It is the title used for the descendants of the king or queen, and it is kept for life.

In the British royal family, the heir of monarchs is given a special title: Prince of Wales. Currently, that title is held by Prince Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

In Spain, the title is only given to the person who will take the place on the throne if the king or queen dies or if they decide to abdicate. The title is that of prince (or princess) of Asturias and the treatment used is that of “royal highness”. For example, Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz is the current Princess of Asturias and first in line to the Spanish throne as the eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Consort Letizia.

A woman who does not have a royal title can obtain one by marrying a prince by birth. Something similar happens to a man when he marries a royal princess or the queen herself. Both spouses receive the treatment of “Royal Highness” as long as they are married and when they are widowed.

Princess Diana, for example, had the title of Princess of Wales. However, Camilla of Cornwall would legally be Princess of Wales as she is the current wife of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne. However, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, she was given the title of Duchess of Cornwall to avoid confusion and out of respect for Diana’s memory.

In Spain, this title is used to refer to the children of the king or queen who are not crown princes or princesses. In addition, all descendants of the Prince or Princess of Asturias are also given this title, and the treatment is also “Royal Highness”.

For example, Sofía de Borbón is an infant and second in line to the Spanish throne, as she is the second daughter of King Felipe VI and his consort, Queen Letizia. Her sister, Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz, is the princess of Asturias.

It is one of the European noble titles with which monarchs show their gratitude, and is second only to the prince. It is usually given to children of royalty who are not heirs.

Its use also extends to legitimate consorts and widowed spouses (provided they do not remarry). The treatment given to a person who receives this title is “Excellent Sir”.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are, for example, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

It is a title given in honor of certain people or families. His hierarchical position within the European nobility is above the earl and immediately below the duke. The feminine form is marquise and its use is extended to the legitimate spouses of the holders.

The treatment given to the great Spanish marquises, for example, is “excellence”, while for the others, the treatment is “very illustrious”. The hierarchy, in Spain, places them below the Prince of Asturias and the Infante.

One of the most famous people to receive the title was the painter Salvador Dalí. In 1982, King Juan Carlos I appointed him Marquis of Dalí de Púbol. The writer Mario Vargas Llosa also received the title, which since 2011 has received the treatment of “distinguished sir”.

It is the person with the noble title immediately below that of marquis. Legitimate spouses are called the same. The treatment given to these people is “very illustrious” or “excellent”, according to the hierarchy of the nobility.

The Spanish aristocrat Carlos Arturo Fitz-James Stuart y Solís is, for example, the Count of Osorno.

It is the noble title that comes immediately below the title of earl. The treatment that the person receives is “excellent” or “excellent” depending on the order they have between the titles with and without greatness.

James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn, is a member of the British royal family. He is the second child and only son of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sofia, Countess of Wessex.

It is the noble title that is below that of viscount. It works in the same way as the others: it extends to the spouse and its treatment depends on the hierarchy of the bearer within the nobility.

Who has already received this title was the stylist Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada. She is marquise of Castelldosríus, grandee of Spain and baroness of Santa Pau.

An honorary title given to men (sir) and women (lady) with a memorable career. It is the highest title to which a person who does not belong to the nobility can aspire.

Queen Elizabeth has used this title to recognize military and political leaders, philanthropists and celebrities who have contributed to music, theater and film, particularly in Britain. The best known are Ringo Starr, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Paul McCartney, Michael Caine, Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor and Maggie Smith.

What is your opinion on the hierarchy and titles of European nobility? Do you think this will all end someday? What title would you like to have?