List of current British princes and princesses


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==By marriage==

==By marriage==

Women become princesses by marriage, but can only be styled as such if their husband is the [[Prince of Wales]]. Examples include [[Diana, Princess of Wales]] and [[Catherine, Princess of Wales]]. Other women cannot add the princess title to their birth name, unless they take their full husband's name, which was last done by [[Princess Michael of Kent]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a26577385/princess-michael-of-kent-facts/|title=Who Is Princess Michael of Kent|work=[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]]|accessdate=May 18, 2024|date=February 24, 2024}}</ref> To retain their birth names, most opt for the female equivalent of one of their husbands' other titles, such as [[Duchess]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theweek.com/news/society/955444/how-royal-titles-work|title=How royal titles are given|work=The Week|accessdate=May 18, 2024|date=September 16, 2022}}</ref> Men cannot become princes by marriage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rd.com/article/reason-prince-phillip-isnt-king-england/|title=Why Is Prince Philip Not 'King Philip'? The Real Reason|work=[[Reader's Digest]]|accessdate=March 14, 2021|date=March 19, 2020}}</ref>

When a British prince marries, his wife is addressed by the feminine version of the husband's senior title on his behalf, either a princely title or a peerage. Traditionally, all wives of male members of the British royal family, the aristocracy, and members of the public take the style and title of their husbands. For example, the wife of [[Prince Michael of Kent]] is known as [[Princess Michael of Kent]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a26577385/princess-michael-of-kent-facts/ |title= Who Is Princess Michael of Kent

|last= Hubbard |first= Lauren |date= 30 July 2019 |website= townandcountrymag.com

|publisher= Town&Country |access-date= 6 August 2021}}</ref>

There is also the case when a princess of blood royal marries a British prince. She also becomes a princess by marriage and will be addressed in the same way. An example of this situation was the late [[Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife]]: when she married the cousin of her mother, [[Prince Arthur of Connaught]], she became Princess Arthur of Connaught, Duchess of Fife.

If a British prince has a [[Peerages in the United Kingdom|peerage]], then the princess is addressed by the feminine version of her husband's peer title; an example of this case is the wife of [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince William]], who was (briefly) officially styled ''His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge'' while his wife [[Catherine, Princess of Wales|Catherine]] became ''Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge'', omitting both the 'prince' and 'princess' titles and their first names. When William was then created [[Prince of Wales]], that became the senior title held in his own right, and he and Catherine are styled ''His/Her Royal Highness The Prince/Princess of Wales''.<ref>{{cite web |url=

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/kate-middleton-isnt-known-princess-5468723 |title= Why Kate Middleton isn't known as Princess - but Diana was

|last= Cruse |first= Beth |date= 31 May 2021 |website= Bristolpost.co.uk |publisher= Bristol Post |access-date= 6 August 2021}}</ref>


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Revision as of 12:24, 18 May 2024

This is a list of living British royal family members who, through royal descent or marriage, currently hold the rank of Prince or Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. There are 18 living princes and princesses by birthright, and a further 6 women who are princesses by marriage.

By birthright

By marriage

Women become princesses by marriage, but can only be styled as such if their husband is the Prince of Wales. Examples include Diana, Princess of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Other women cannot add the princess title to their birth name, unless they take their full husband's name, which was last done by Princess Michael of Kent.[2] To retain their birth names, most opt for the female equivalent of one of their husbands' other titles, such as Duchess.[3] Men cannot become princes by marriage.[4]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Although James is a British prince, his parents did not give him the prince title in order for him to avoid some of the burdens of royal titles.[1]
  2. ^ Although Louise is a British princess, her parents did not give her the princess title in order for her to avoid some of the burdens of royal titles.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Royal Family tree and line of succession". BBC. September 4, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  2. ^ "Who Is Princess Michael of Kent". Town & Country. February 24, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "How royal titles are given". The Week. September 16, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "Why Is Prince Philip Not 'King Philip'? The Real Reason". Reader's Digest. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2021.