The Evolution And Usage Of Royal Titles: From Prince To Emperor
When we think about royal titles, we often consider the progression from prince to king and princess to queen. But what happens when we move up the hierarchy to the highest level of imperial authority? This comprehensive exploration of royal titles will answer that question and many more about the fascinating world of monarchical nomenclature.
The Emperor's Heir: What Title Does an Imperial Heir Hold?
If a prince becomes a king, and a princess becomes a queen, what is the term for someone who becomes an emperor/empress? This question reveals an interesting gap in our common understanding of royal succession. While we have clear titles for heirs to kingdoms (prince and princess), the title for an heir to an empire is less commonly discussed in popular culture.
In most historical empires, the heir to an emperor was typically called a crown prince or crown princess. This title explicitly denotes their status as the designated successor to imperial power, distinguishing them from mere princes of the blood who might have no claim to the throne. The crown prince/princess title has been used across various empires, from the Holy Roman Empire to the Russian Empire, and even in modern constitutional monarchies where imperial systems have been replaced.
Some empires used more specific titles. In the Byzantine Empire, the heir was often called the despot or basileus, while in the Ottoman Empire, the sultan's sons were called shahzade until one was named as the official heir. The Japanese imperial system uses the term Kotaishi for the crown prince, reflecting the unique cultural context of the Chrysanthemum Throne.
The Etymology of Royal Titles
The words prince and princess come to English from Old French and ultimately from Latin's "princeps", which literally means "first" or "foremost." This etymology reveals the original meaning of these titles - they denoted someone of the highest rank after the monarch, essentially the "first citizen" in Roman terms.
However, in both Latin and Old French, as well as historical Italian, the term "princeps" had broader applications. It could refer to any person of distinction or leadership, not just royal heirs. The narrowing of the term to specifically mean a royal offspring occurred gradually as feudal systems developed in medieval Europe.
The title "princess" emerged later as the feminine counterpart to "prince," following the pattern of creating female equivalents for male titles that was common in European languages. Interestingly, in many historical contexts, women could hold the title of princess through marriage without being royal by birth, while men rarely acquired princely titles through marriage to princesses.
Capitalization Rules for Royal Titles
A noun (when not at the start of a sentence) should be capitalized if and only if it is a proper noun, which refers to a specific person, place, thing, or idea without taking a limiting modifier. This grammatical rule has important implications for how we write about royal titles.
For example, when referring to a specific prince by name - "Prince William attended the ceremony" - the title is capitalized because it's part of a proper name. However, when speaking generally about princes - "The prince will attend the ceremony" - the title remains lowercase because it's a common noun.
This rule applies consistently across all royal titles. Queen Elizabeth II uses the capitalized form when her full title and name are used, but "the queen addressed the nation" uses lowercase. The same principle applies to emperors, empresses, kings, and princesses when they're mentioned in general contexts versus specific identifications.
Modern Usage and Variations of Royal Titles
The form lil is used, but the most common variant seems to be lil' (capitalized when it is a name). Wikipedia notes that "lil" is a kind of prefix and is the short form of "little." It is often spelled with an apostrophe to indicate the omission of letters, following standard English contraction rules.
While this might seem unrelated to royal titles at first glance, it's worth noting how language evolves and how even formal titles can be affected by modern usage patterns. The use of "lil'" as a prefix in modern culture, particularly in music and entertainment, shows how traditional linguistic elements can be repurposed in contemporary contexts.
This evolution of language reminds us that royal titles, while ancient in origin, continue to adapt to modern usage. We see this in how titles are abbreviated in media, how they're used in social media contexts, and how they're adapted for different cultural settings around the world.
Pronunciation Challenges with Royal Titles
Verbally differentiating between prince's and princess can be challenging, as evidenced by questions asked years ago that remain relevant today. The similar sounds and related meanings of these titles can lead to confusion in spoken English, particularly for non-native speakers or in situations where clear communication is essential.
The challenge becomes even more apparent when we consider titles like "princess's" (possessive form) and how it's pronounced. Does the extra 's' at the end create an additional syllable, or is it simply indicated in writing without affecting pronunciation? This question touches on broader issues of English orthography and pronunciation rules.
Does this rule from AP Style reflect pronunciation? The Associated Press Stylebook provides guidelines for written English, but these don't always align perfectly with spoken language. When it comes to royal titles and their possessives, the written rules may suggest one pronunciation while common usage follows another pattern entirely.
Postpositive Adjectives in Royal Titles
As Wikipedia states, a postpositive or postnominal adjective is an attributive adjective that is placed after the noun or pronoun that it modifies. This grammatical construction is actually quite common in royal and noble titles, though we might not always notice it.
Consider titles like "Court Martial," "Attorney General," or "Princess Royal." In these cases, the adjective follows the noun it modifies, creating a formal construction that's particularly prevalent in official and legal contexts. The Princess Royal title, specifically, is a British royal title customarily granted by the monarch to his or her eldest daughter, and it follows this postpositive pattern.
This construction adds formality and tradition to royal titles, connecting modern usage to historical linguistic patterns. It also creates titles that are instantly recognizable as official or ceremonial, distinguishing them from everyday descriptions.
Specialized Categories of Royal Titles
Subcategory names of posts, ranks, etc.: The world of royal and noble titles includes numerous specialized categories that go beyond the basic king, queen, prince, and princess designations. These subcategories often reflect specific roles, historical periods, or regional variations in monarchical systems.
For instance, the title Dowager is used to denote a widow who holds a title or property from her deceased husband. Wikipedia discusses queen dowagers and notes that "dowager princess" has sometimes been used, which raises interesting questions about gender-specific applications of royal terminology. The suggestion that "dowager Prince Philip" would fit except that "dowager" always refers to a female, specifically a widow, highlights the gendered nature of many royal titles.
Other specialized categories include morganatic spouses (those who marry into royalty but whose children have no succession rights), courtesy titles (honorifics given to members of royal families who don't hold substantive titles), and territorial designations (princes and princesses identified by their associated lands, like the Prince of Wales).
Conclusion
The world of royal titles is far more complex and fascinating than most people realize. From the basic progression of prince to king and princess to queen, to the more obscure questions about imperial heirs and postpositive adjectives, these titles reflect centuries of linguistic evolution, cultural traditions, and political power structures.
Understanding the etymology of titles like "prince" from the Latin "princeps," recognizing the grammatical rules that govern their capitalization, and appreciating the specialized categories that exist within royal systems all contribute to a richer understanding of how language and power intersect. Whether we're discussing the crown prince of an empire, the proper use of "lil'" as a prefix, or the challenges of pronouncing possessive forms, royal titles continue to captivate our imagination and reflect our ongoing fascination with hierarchy, tradition, and the symbols of authority.
As language continues to evolve and monarchies adapt to modern governance, these titles will likely continue to change, but their historical significance and cultural impact ensure that they will remain subjects of interest and study for generations to come.
