British prince
Encyclopedia
This is a list of British princes from the accession of George I
in 1714. The title of prince
is at the will of the sovereign
, who can both grant and revoke the title. Individuals holding the title of prince will usually also be styled His Royal Highness
(HRH) or formerly His Highness
(HH). The sovereign grants the titles of prince and styles of HRH or HH through the use of Letters Patent
, Orders in Council, or by another expression of the royal will. The wife of a British prince will usually take the title and style of her husband.
, a title conferred on the eldest son of the sovereign since the reign of Edward I of England
. While in the Kingdom of Scotland, even though an honorific principality was created by James I, the heir-apparent was only referred to as Duke of Rothesay
. Some others include John, brother of Richard the Lionheart
and later King John
, who is sometimes called Prince John.
After the accession of George I, it became customary for the sons of the sovereign and grandsons of the sovereign in the male line to be titled Prince and styled His Royal Highness
(abbreviated HRH). Great-grandsons of the sovereign were princes styled His Highness
(abbreviated HH). This was not a legal creation, but more an adoption of German royal custom in line with George I's Hanover
ian background. It also allowed the creation as the Royal Family
of those in immediate line of succession to the throne, with royal titles and living in close proximity.
Just three weeks after the birth of her 4th grandchild, but first male line grandson, Queen Victoria
issued letters patent in 1864 which confirmed in law the practice regarding of calling children and male-line grandchildren by His Royal Highness and with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names. The letters patent did not specifically address the style of calling great grandchildren or further descendants from being styled as His/Her Highness and Prince or Princess. However, the only living person of this type, was Prince Ernest Augustus (age 19). Prince Ernest's Kingdom of Hanover was abolished in 1866, but he was made a Duke of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter in 1878, a major general in the British Army in 1886 and promoted him to lieutenant general in 1892 and general in 1898. At no point was his status as a British Prince based on being a great grandson questioned until WWI.
Subsequent to 1864 some amendments regarding princes were made, with the issuance of specific letters patent changing the title and style of the following groups:
Wives of British princes take on their husbands' titles. If the prince has a peerage, the wife will become HRH and the female equivalent of the peerage rank (e.g., HRH The Countess of Wessex). If the prince has no peerage, as in the case of HRH Prince Michael of Kent
, the wife will become HRH and will take the title Princess with her husband's name (e.g., HRH Princess Michael of Kent
).
Following the marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales
to Camilla Parker Bowles on 9 April 2005 his new wife uses the style HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (Duchess of Rothesay
in Scotland), using one of his peerage titles, instead of Princess of Wales.
These formal styles are not often used in the media or by the general public. The terms Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and suchforth are most commonly heard, even though the persons involved may never have held that formal shorthand style.
George I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
in 1714. The title of prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
is at the will of the sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
, who can both grant and revoke the title. Individuals holding the title of prince will usually also be styled His Royal Highness
Royal Highness
Royal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
(HRH) or formerly His Highness
Highness
Highness, often used with a possessive adjective , is an attribute referring to the rank of the dynasty in an address...
(HH). The sovereign grants the titles of prince and styles of HRH or HH through the use of Letters Patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
, Orders in Council, or by another expression of the royal will. The wife of a British prince will usually take the title and style of her husband.
History
Prior to 1714, the title of prince and the style of HRH was not customary in usage. Sons and daughters of the sovereign were not automatically or traditionally called a prince or princess. An exception was the Prince of WalesPrince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
, a title conferred on the eldest son of the sovereign since the reign of Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
. While in the Kingdom of Scotland, even though an honorific principality was created by James I, the heir-apparent was only referred to as Duke of Rothesay
Duke of Rothesay
Duke of Rothesay was a title of the heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Scotland before 1707, of the Kingdom of Great Britain from 1707 to 1801, and now of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland....
. Some others include John, brother of Richard the Lionheart
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
and later King John
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
, who is sometimes called Prince John.
After the accession of George I, it became customary for the sons of the sovereign and grandsons of the sovereign in the male line to be titled Prince and styled His Royal Highness
Royal Highness
Royal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
(abbreviated HRH). Great-grandsons of the sovereign were princes styled His Highness
Highness
Highness, often used with a possessive adjective , is an attribute referring to the rank of the dynasty in an address...
(abbreviated HH). This was not a legal creation, but more an adoption of German royal custom in line with George I's Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
ian background. It also allowed the creation as the Royal Family
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
of those in immediate line of succession to the throne, with royal titles and living in close proximity.
- The first male line great grandchild of a British sovereign was not born until 1776. In keeping with tradition he was given the style of His Highness Prince William of Gloucester. On 22 July 1816 when he married his cousin and daughter of King George III, he was granted the style His Royal Highness. Prince William died in 1834 before the accession of Queen Victoria.
- The second male line great grandchild of a British sovereign was born on 21 September 1845 as Prince Ernest Augustus. He was granted the style of His Royal Highness because he was a male line grandson of the King of Hanover, and heir to the heir of that Kingdom. He was also born a Prince of the United Kingdom but the question of using HH for his British title and HRH for his Hanoverian title was not an issue.
Just three weeks after the birth of her 4th grandchild, but first male line grandson, Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
issued letters patent in 1864 which confirmed in law the practice regarding of calling children and male-line grandchildren by His Royal Highness and with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names. The letters patent did not specifically address the style of calling great grandchildren or further descendants from being styled as His/Her Highness and Prince or Princess. However, the only living person of this type, was Prince Ernest Augustus (age 19). Prince Ernest's Kingdom of Hanover was abolished in 1866, but he was made a Duke of the United Kingdom and a Knight of the Garter in 1878, a major general in the British Army in 1886 and promoted him to lieutenant general in 1892 and general in 1898. At no point was his status as a British Prince based on being a great grandson questioned until WWI.
Subsequent to 1864 some amendments regarding princes were made, with the issuance of specific letters patent changing the title and style of the following groups:
- In 1898, the children of Prince George, Duke of YorkGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
, the eldest living son of The Prince of WalesEdward VII of the United KingdomEdward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
, were customarily titled princes, with the style of Highness, as great-grandchildren of Queen VictoriaVictoria of the United KingdomVictoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
in the male line. With letters patent dated 28 May 1898, the Crown granted the children of the eldest son of any Prince of WalesPrince of WalesPrince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
the style of Royal Highness.
- In 1914, the children of Prince Ernst August III of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick, a great-great-grandchild of George IIIGeorge III of the United KingdomGeorge III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
, were granted the title of prince and the style Highness by George V, in letters patent dated 17 June 1914.
- In 1917, George VGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
issued a royal proclamation, altering the name of the Royal House from the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the House of WindsorHouse of WindsorThe House of Windsor is the royal house of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded by King George V by royal proclamation on the 17 July 1917, when he changed the name of his family from the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the English Windsor, due to the anti-German sentiment in the United Kingdom...
. Later that year, new letters patent altered the rights to the title prince and the style Royal Highness. These second letters patent, dated 30 November 1917, stated that "the children of any Sovereign of these Realms and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign (as per the above Letters Patent of 1864) and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales (a modification of the Letters Patent of 1898) shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour". It was also decreed in these letters that "grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line ... shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of DukeDukeA duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
s of these Our Realms" (i.e., Lord or Lady before their Christian name). In addition the letters stated save as aforesaid the style title or attribute of Royal Highness, Highness or Serene Highness and the titular dignity of Prince or Princess shall not henceforth be assumed or borne by any descendent of any Sovereign of these Realms. With this clause, King George V attempted to remove the ambiguity from the earlier letters patent of 1864, and all British princes or princesses who were further than grandchild of a monarch lost their right to be called prince or princess. The total royals affected were 7 princes and 7 blood line princesses, and 3 spouses who had assumed the style of princess through their marriage.
- Both the proclamation and the letters patent of 1917 remain in force today, excepting a few amendments and creations noted.
- However, the Duke of Brunswick, the head of the House of HanoverHouse of HanoverThe House of Hanover is a deposed German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
, refused to recognize the letters depriving his children of the British and Irish princely titles, and in 1931, he issued a decree, in the capacity of the head of the House of Hanover and senior male-line descendant of George III of the United KingdomGeorge III of the United KingdomGeorge III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
, stating that the members of the former Hanoverian royal family would continue to bear the title of Prince (or Princess) of Great Britain and Ireland with the style of Royal Highness. This title and style remains in use to this day by their descendants, including the current head of the House of Hanover, Ernst August, Prince of Hanover. The decree by the head of the House of Hanover is not legally recognized in the United Kingdom or Ireland, and the titles are used as titles of pretense. Lately, titles claimed by members of the House of Hanover have been recognized by the court of MonacoMonacoMonaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
, due to their heiress presumptive being married to the head of the House of Hanover. The British court has, unsuccessfully, tried to convince the former Hanoverian royal family to stop using the British princely title.
- After the abdication crisis of 1936, George VIGeorge VI of the United KingdomGeorge VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
issued letters patent (dated 27 May 1937) retroactively regranting Prince Edward, Duke of WindsorEdward VIII of the United KingdomEdward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
his style as son of a Sovereign, whilst expressly denying the title of prince and style Royal Highness to his wife and descendants. The marriage, however, had no issue.
- On 22 October 1948, George VI issued letters patent allowing the children of his son-in-law and daughter, Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
and Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of EdinburghElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, to assume princely titles and the style Royal Highness; they would not have been entitled to them ordinarily, as grandchildren in the female line, until their mother ascended the throne as Elizabeth II. Princess Elizabeth's lack of brothers and the advancing ages of the King and Queen, however, rendered her status as heir presumptive secure and her children's future status as children of a monarch a foregone conclusion. Thus the current Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
was styled HRH Prince Charles of Edinburgh until his mother's accession. Otherwise the children would have temporarily been styled Lord (Charles Mountbatten, Earl of) Merioneth, and The Lady Anne Mountbatten, respectively.
- Elizabeth II issued letters patent, dated 22 February 1957, creating Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a Prince of the United Kingdom. Prince Philip had been born a Prince of Greece and Denmark, titles he renounced upon marriage.
- On the wedding day of The Prince EdwardPrince Edward, Earl of WessexPrince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
and Sophie Rhys-Jones, it was announced by Buckingham PalaceBuckingham PalaceBuckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
that it was the specific wish of the Earl and Countess of Wessex (and the will of the Queen) that their children would be styled as children of an earl, and not as Princes of the United Kingdom with the style Royal HighnessRoyal HighnessRoyal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
. The children of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise WindsorLady Louise WindsorThe Lady Louise Windsor is the elder child of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. She is the youngest granddaughter and second-youngest grandchild of Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh...
and Viscount SevernJames, Viscount SevernJames, Viscount Severn is the second child and only son of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and the youngest grandchild of Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh...
, may, theoretically, be prince and princess, and it is oft asserted that they may be styled as such when they reach majority. However, there is no official word on their status other than their parents' wish about how they should be addressed, so this is pure conjecture.
Styles of British Princes
- Sons of sovereigns - HRH The Prince "X"; e.g., HRH The Prince Edward.
- Grandchildren - HRH Prince "X" of "Y", where Y is the territorial designation of their father's peerages; e.g., HRH Prince Michael of Kent.
- Prior to Prince Albert Victor, a son of the Prince of Wales - HRH Prince "X".
- Great-grandchildren - Lord "X" "Z" (until 1917, it was HH Prince "X" of "Y").
- Except the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, HRH Prince "X" of "Y", where Y is the territorial designation of his father's peerage (if he has any; if not, Wales) and Z being the last name of the great grandchild.
- The Prince of Wales is normally styled HRH The Prince of Wales, aside from within Scotland where he is styled HRH the Duke of Rothesay.
- and royal peers, HRH The Duke/Earl of Y. Royal peers remain princes, however, the peerage being in addition to, not in lieu of the princely style..
Wives of British princes take on their husbands' titles. If the prince has a peerage, the wife will become HRH and the female equivalent of the peerage rank (e.g., HRH The Countess of Wessex). If the prince has no peerage, as in the case of HRH Prince Michael of Kent
Prince Michael of Kent
Prince Michael of Kent is a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary, making him a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is also the first cousin once removed of Prince Phillip. Prince Michael occasionally carries out royal duties representing the Queen at some functions in Commonwealth realms outside...
, the wife will become HRH and will take the title Princess with her husband's name (e.g., HRH Princess Michael of Kent
Princess Michael of Kent
Princess Michael of Kent is an Austrian-Hungarian member of the British Royal Family. She is married to Prince Michael of Kent, who is a grandson of King George V....
).
Following the marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
to Camilla Parker Bowles on 9 April 2005 his new wife uses the style HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (Duchess of Rothesay
Duchess of Rothesay
Duchess of Rothesay is a Scottish courtesy title. It is held by the wife of The Dukes of Rothesay since the first Duke in 1398. Due to the mortality rate and the fact that very few Dukes of Rothesay were of majority or married prior to ascending the throne , there have in fact been only eight...
in Scotland), using one of his peerage titles, instead of Princess of Wales.
These formal styles are not often used in the media or by the general public. The terms Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and suchforth are most commonly heard, even though the persons involved may never have held that formal shorthand style.
List of British Princes since 1714
| Title of Prince eliminated by Letters Patent issued 30 November 1917 (i.e. great grandsons) |
| Title of Prince eliminated by Titles Deprivation Act 1917 Titles Deprivation Act 1917 The Titles Deprivation Act 1917 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom which authorised enemies of the United Kingdom during the First World War to be deprived of their British peerages and royal titles. -Background:... (they have adhered to Your Majesty's enemies during the present war, i.e. WWI) |
| British Prince who resided in Germany as an adult after division of the crowns of Kingdom of Hanover and U.K. on 20 June 1837 with the accession of Queen Victoria |
| British Prince who died a minor |
| Title at birth | Other titles held | Birth | Death | lineage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Georg August of Brunswick-Lüneburg George II of Great Britain George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany... . |
Prince Georg August of Hanover; Hereditary Prince of Hanover; The Prince George; Prince of Wales Prince of Wales Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms... . |
1683 | 1760 | son of George I George I of Great Britain George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698.... |
succeeded as George II |
| Prince Friedrich Ludwig of Hanover Frederick, Prince of Wales Frederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria... . |
The Prince Frederick; Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726... ; Duke of Cornwall Duke of Cornwall The Duchy of Cornwall was the first duchy created in the peerage of England.The present Duke of Cornwall is The Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, the reigning British monarch .-History:... ; Prince of Wales Prince of Wales Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms... . |
1707 | 1751 | son of George II. | died before succeeding |
| Prince George William. | <------------- | 1717 | 1718 | son of George II. | died minor |
| Prince William. | The Prince William; Duke of Cumberland Duke of Cumberland Duke of Cumberland is a peerage title that was conferred upon junior members of the British Royal Family, named after the county of Cumberland.-History:... . |
1721 | 1765 | son of George II. | The Butcher; never married |
| Prince George George III of the United Kingdom George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death... . |
Duke of Edinburgh; Prince of Wales. | 1738 | 1820 | grandson of George II | son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, succeeded as George III. |
| Prince Edward. | Duke of York and Albany Duke of York The Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch. The title has been created a remarkable eleven times, eight as "Duke of York" and three as the double-barreled "Duke of York and... . |
1739 | 1767 | grandson of George II | son of Frederick, Prince of Wales. |
| Prince William Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of George II and a younger brother of George III.-Early life:... . |
Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh Duke of Gloucester Duke of Gloucester is a British royal title , often conferred on one of the sons of the reigning monarch. The first four creations were in the Peerage of England, the next in the Peerage of Great Britain, and the last in the Peerage of the United Kingdom; this current creation carries with it the... . |
1743 | 1805 | grandson of George II | son of Frederick, Prince of Wales. |
| Prince Henry. | Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn. | 1745 | 1790 | grandson of George II | son of Frederick, Prince of Wales. |
| Prince Frederick. | <------------- | 1750 | 1765 | grandson of George II | son of Frederick, Prince of Wales. died minor |
| The Prince George George IV of the United Kingdom George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later... , Duke of Cornwall. |
Prince of Wales; Prince Regent Prince Regent A prince regent is a prince who rules a monarchy as regent instead of a monarch, e.g., due to the Sovereign's incapacity or absence .... . |
1762 | 1830 | son of George III | succeeded as George IV. |
| The Prince Frederick Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany The Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany was a member of the Hanoverian and British Royal Family, the second eldest child, and second son, of King George III... . |
Duke of York and Albany. | 1763 | 1827 | son of George III | |
| The Prince William William IV of the United Kingdom William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death... . |
Duke of Clarence and St Andrews Duke of Clarence Duke of Clarence is a title which has been traditionally awarded to junior members of the English and British Royal families. The first three creations were in the Peerage of England, the fourth in the Peerage of Great Britain, and the fifth in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.The title was first... . |
1765 | 1837 | son of George III | succeeded as William IV. |
| The Prince Edward. | Duke of Kent and Strathearn Duke of Kent Duke of Kent is a title which has been created various times in the peerages of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, most recently as a royal dukedom for the fourth son of George V.-Pre-history:... . |
1767 | 1820 | son of George III | father of Queen Victoria Victoria of the United Kingdom Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India.... . |
| The Prince Ernest Augustus Ernest Augustus I of Hanover Ernest Augustus I was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son and eighth child of George III, who reigned in both the United Kingdom and Hanover... . |
1st Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale Duke of Cumberland Duke of Cumberland is a peerage title that was conferred upon junior members of the British Royal Family, named after the county of Cumberland.-History:... ; King of Hanover. |
1771 | 1851 | son of George III | Became King of Hanover on 20 June 1837 when Victoria ascended to throne in Britain |
| The Prince Augustus Frederick Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex The Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex , was the sixth son of George III of the United Kingdom and his consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was the only surviving son of George III who did not pursue an army or naval career.- Early life :His Royal Highness The Prince Augustus... . |
Duke of Sussex Duke of Sussex Duke of Sussex was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was conferred on 27 November 1801 upon The Prince Augustus Frederick, the sixth son of George III, who was created Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Arklow, all in the Peerage of the United Kingdom... . |
1773 | 1843 | son of George III | |
| The Prince Adolphus Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge The Prince Adolphus, 1st Duke of Cambridge , was the tenth child and seventh son of George III and Queen Charlotte. He held the title of Duke of Cambridge from 1801 until his death. He also served as Viceroy of Hanover on behalf of his brothers George IV and William IV... . |
Duke of Cambridge Duke of Cambridge Duke of Cambridge is a title which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family several times. It was first used as a designation for Charles Stuart , the eldest son of James, Duke of York , though he was never formally created Duke of Cambridge... . |
1774 | 1850 | son of George III | |
| The Prince Octavius Prince Octavius of Great Britain The Prince Octavius was a member of the British Royal Family as the thirteenth child and eighth son of King George III and his queen consort Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Six months after the death of his brother Prince Alfred, Octavius was inoculated from the smallpox virus. Several days... . |
<------------- | 1779 | 1783 | son of George III | died minor |
| The Prince Alfred Prince Alfred of Great Britain The Prince Alfred was a member of the British Royal Family as the fourteenth child and ninth son of King George III and his queen consort Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz... . |
<------------- | 1780 | 1782 | son of George III | died minor |
| Prince William of Gloucester Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh was a member of the British Royal Family, a great-grandson of George II and nephew of George III.-Early life:... . |
Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. | 1776 | 1834 | great-grandson of George II | son of HRH Prince William |
| Prince George of Cambridge Prince George, Duke of Cambridge Prince George, Duke of Cambridge was a member of the British Royal Family, a male-line grandson of King George III. The Duke was an army officer and served as commander-in-chief of the British Army from 1856 to 1895... . |
Duke of Cambridge. | 1819 | 1904 | grandson of George III | son of Prince Adolphus. |
| Prince George of Cumberland George V of Hanover George V was King of Hanover, the only child of Ernest Augustus I, and a grandchild of King George III of the United Kingdom. In the peerage of Great Britain, he was 2nd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, 2nd Earl of Armagh... . |
2nd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale; Crown Prince of Hanover; King of Hanover. | 1819 | 1878 | grandson of George III | son of Ernest Augustus I of Hanover. Became Crown Prince on 20 June 1837 |
| Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield. | Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha; The Prince Consort Prince consort A prince consort is the husband of a queen regnant who is not himself a king in his own right.Current examples include the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , and Prince Henrik of Denmark .In recognition of his status, a prince consort may be given a formal... . |
1819 | 1861 | husband of Queen Victoria, granted style of HRH on 6 February 1840 | then the style of Prince Consort, on 29 June 1857. |
| Prince Ernest Augustus II of Hanover and Cumberland. | 3rd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale; Crown Prince of Hanover; titular King of Hanover. | 1845 | 1923 | great-grandson of George III, | son of George V of Hanover. |
| The Prince Albert Edward Edward VII of the United Kingdom Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910... , Duke of Cornwall. |
Prince of Wales; Emperor of India Emperor of India Emperor/Empress of India was used as a title by the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II, and revived by the colonial British monarchs during the British Raj in India.... . |
1841 | 1910 | son of Queen Victoria | succeeded as Edward VII. |
| The Prince Alfred Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the third Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and reigned from 1893 to 1900. He was also a member of the British Royal Family, the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha... . |
Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. | 1844 | 1900 | son of Queen Victoria | |
| The Prince Arthur Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn was a member of the shared British and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha royal family who served as the Governor General of Canada, the 10th since Canadian Confederation.Born the seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and... . |
Duke of Connaught and Strathearn Duke of Connaught and Strathearn The title Duke of Connaught and Strathearn was granted by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to her third son, Prince Arthur.... . |
1850 | 1942 | son of Queen Victoria | |
| The Prince Leopold Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany The Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany was the eighth child and fourth son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Leopold was later created Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence, and Baron Arklow... . |
Duke of Albany Duke of Albany Duke of Albany is a peerage title that has occasionally been bestowed on the younger sons in the Scottish, and later the British, royal family, particularly in the Houses of Stuart and Hanover.... . |
1853 | 1884 | son of Queen Victoria | |
| Prince Albert Victor of Wales. | Duke of Clarence and Avondale. | 1864 | 1892 | son of Prince Albert Edward Edward VII of the United Kingdom Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910... . |
died before becoming Prince of Wales |
| Prince George of Wales George V of the United Kingdom George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936.... . |
Duke of York; Duke of Cornwall; Prince of Wales; Emperor of India. | 1865 | 1936 | son of Edward VII | succeeded as George V George V of the United Kingdom George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936.... . |
| Prince (Alexander) John of Wales Prince Alexander John of Wales Prince Alexander John Charles Albert of Wales was the youngest son and sixth child of Prince Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and his wife Princess Alexandra, Princess of Wales and grandson of Queen Victoria and Christian IX of Denmark.-Life:Prince Alexander John Charles Albert of Wales was born... |
<------------- | 1871 | 1871 | son of Edward VII | died minor |
| Prince Alfred of Edinburgh. | Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. | 1874 | 1899 | grandson of Queen Victoria | son of Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. |
| Prince George William of Hanover and Cumberland Prince George William of Hanover and Cumberland Prince George William of Hanover , Prince of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the eldest son of Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover... . |
Crown Prince of Hanover. | 1880 | 1912 | great-great-grandson of George III | son of Ernest Augustus |
| Prince Charles Edward Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the fourth and last reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, two duchies in Germany , and the head of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha from 1900 until his death in 1954... , Duke of Albany. |
Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. | 1884 | 1954 | grandson of Queen Victoria. | |
| Prince Christian of Hanover and Cumberland Prince Christian of Hanover and Cumberland Prince Christian of Hanover Prince of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the second eldest son of Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover and Princess Thyra of Denmark , the... . |
<------------- | 1885 | 1901 | great great grandson of George III | son of Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover. died minor |
| Prince Ernest Augustus III of Hanover and Cumberland. | Duke of Brunswick. On 29 August 1931, as head of the House of Hanover, declared the formal resumption, for himself and his dynastic descendants, of use of his former British princely title as a secondary title of pretense. | 1887 | 1953 | great-great-grandson of George III, | son of Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover. |
| Prince Arthur of Connaught Prince Arthur of Connaught Prince Arthur of Connaught and Strathearn was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of Queen Victoria. Prince Arthur held the title of a British prince with the style His Royal Highness... . |
1883 | 1938 | grandson of Queen Victoria | ||
| Prince Edward of York Edward VIII of the United Kingdom Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay... . |
Prince Edward of Wales; The Prince Edward; Duke of Cornwall; Prince of Wales; Emperor of India; Duke of Windsor Duke of Windsor The title Duke of Windsor was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1937 for Prince Edward, the former King Edward VIII, following his abdication in December 1936. The dukedom takes its name from the town where Windsor Castle, a residence of English monarchs since the Norman Conquest, is... . |
1894 | 1972 | son of George V, | succeeded as Edward VIII, abdicated and resumed princely title. |
| Prince Albert of York George VI of the United Kingdom George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death... . |
Prince Albert of Wales; The Prince Albert; Duke of York. | 1895 | 1952 | son of George V | succeeded as George VI. |
| Prince Henry of York Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was a soldier and member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary.... . |
Prince Henry of Wales; The Prince Henry; Duke of Gloucester. | 1900 | 1974 | son of George V | |
| Prince George of Wales Prince George, Duke of Kent Prince George, Duke of Kent was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of George V and Mary of Teck, and younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI... . |
The Prince George; Duke of Kent. | 1902 | 1942 | son of George V | |
| Prince John of Wales Prince John of the United Kingdom The Prince John was a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest son of King George V and Queen Mary. The Prince had epilepsy and consequently was largely hidden from the public eye.-Early life:... . |
<------------- | 1905 | 1919 | son of George V | died minor |
| John Leopold, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. | 1906 | 1972 | great-grandson of Queen Victoria | son of Prince Charles Edward, Duke of Albany. | |
| Prince Hubertus of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Prince Hubertus of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1909–1943) Prince Hubertus of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the second eldest son of Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and his wife, Princess Victoria Adelaide of Schleswig-Holstein.... . |
1909 | 1943 | great-grandson of Queen Victoria | son of Prince Charles Edward, Duke of Albany. | |
| Prince Ernest Augustus IV Ernest Augustus IV, Prince of Hanover Ernst August IV, Prince of Hanover, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick, Prince of Great Britain and Ireland was head of the House of Hanover from 1953 until his death... , Hereditary Duke of Brunswick. |
Prince of Hanover. British Prince title as a secondary title of pretense after 29 August 1931 | 1914 | 1987 | great-great-great-grandson of George III | son of Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick. |
| Prince George William of Hanover. | 1915 | 2006 | great-great-great-grandson of George III | son of Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick. | |
| Prince Alastair of Connaught. | Duke of Connaught | 1914 | 1943 | great-grandson of Queen Victoria, | son of Prince Arthur of Connaught (only British child to lose style of Prince in 1917) |
| Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch.... . |
The Prince Philip; Duke of Edinburgh. | 1921 | husband of Elizabeth II, styled HRH upon marriage in 1947, | created Prince of the United Kingdom in 1957. | |
| Prince Edward of Kent Prince Edward, Duke of Kent The Duke of Kent graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 29 July 1955 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the beginning of a military career that would last over 20 years. He was promoted to captain on 29 July 1961. The Duke of Kent saw service in Hong Kong from 1962–63... . |
Duke of Kent. | 1935 | grandson of George V | son of Prince George, Duke of Kent. | |
| Prince William of Gloucester Prince William of Gloucester Prince William of Gloucester was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of George V.-Early life:... . |
1941 | 1972 | grandson of George V | son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. | |
| Prince Michael of Kent Prince Michael of Kent Prince Michael of Kent is a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary, making him a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is also the first cousin once removed of Prince Phillip. Prince Michael occasionally carries out royal duties representing the Queen at some functions in Commonwealth realms outside... . |
1942 | grandson of George V | son of Prince George, Duke of Kent. | ||
| Prince Richard of Gloucester Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester is a member of the British Royal Family. Prince Richard is the youngest grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary. He has been Duke of Gloucester since his father's death in 1974. He is currently 20th in the line of succession... . |
Duke of Gloucester. | 1944 | grandson of George V | son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. | |
| Prince Charles of Edinburgh Charles, Prince of Wales Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay... . |
The Prince Charles; Duke of Cornwall; Duke of Rothesay; Prince of Wales. | 1948 | son of Elizabeth II Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,... . |
heir apparent Heir apparent An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession.... |
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| The Prince Andrew Prince Andrew, Duke of York Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh... |
Duke of York. | 1960 | son of Elizabeth II. | ||
| The Prince Edward Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh... |
Earl of Wessex Earl of Wessex The title Earl of Wessex has been created twice in British history, once in the pre-Conquest Anglo-Saxon nobility of England and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom... . |
1964 | son of Elizabeth II. | ||
| Prince William of Wales | Duke of Cambridge Duke of Cambridge Duke of Cambridge is a title which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family several times. It was first used as a designation for Charles Stuart , the eldest son of James, Duke of York , though he was never formally created Duke of Cambridge... . |
1982 | grandson of Elizabeth II. | son of Charles, Prince of Wales Charles, Prince of Wales Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay... . |
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| Prince Harry of Wales Prince Harry of Wales Prince Henry of Wales , commonly known as Prince Harry, is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh... |
1984 | grandson of Elizabeth II. | son of Charles, Prince of Wales. | ||
| Viscount Severn James, Viscount Severn James, Viscount Severn is the second child and only son of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and the youngest grandchild of Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh... |
2007 | grandson of Elizabeth II | Styled as an earl's son per his parents' wishes and the will of the Queen, Lord Severn is thought by some experts to nonetheless retain his princely status (see his titles and styles) | ||
| Ernst August V | Prince of Hanover. British Prince title as a secondary title of pretense from birth | 1954 | great X4-grandson of George III | ||
Common names
Several names have been used repeatedly:- George is used no fewer than twenty-one times—including six Kings George; Edward VIIEdward VII of the United KingdomEdward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
; Prince George, Duke of KentPrince George, Duke of KentPrince George, Duke of Kent was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of George V and Mary of Teck, and younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI...
and, currently, Charles, Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
and Prince Michael of KentPrince Michael of KentPrince Michael of Kent is a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary, making him a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is also the first cousin once removed of Prince Phillip. Prince Michael occasionally carries out royal duties representing the Queen at some functions in Commonwealth realms outside... - Frederick occurs twenty times—including Frederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
; Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Kings George IIIGeorge III of the United KingdomGeorge III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
, IVGeorge IV of the United KingdomGeorge IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
, VGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
and VIGeorge VI of the United KingdomGeorge VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death... - William is borne by nineteen princes—Prince William, Duke of Cumberland; George III; William IVWilliam IV of the United KingdomWilliam IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
and, currently, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge among them - No fewer than fifteen princes are named Albert, for the Prince Consort—including Edward VII and George VI, who were both known as Prince Albert; George V; Edward VIIIEdward VIII of the United KingdomEdward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
; Prince Albert Victor, Duke of ClarencePrince Albert Victor, Duke of ClarencePrince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale was a member of the British Royal Family. He was the eldest son of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Alexandra, Princess of Wales , and the grandson of the reigning monarch, Queen Victoria...
, and, currently, Prince Andrew, Duke of YorkPrince Andrew, Duke of YorkPrince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
and Prince Harry of WalesPrince Harry of WalesPrince Henry of Wales , commonly known as Prince Harry, is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...