Check out the royal family's tradition of reusing names with this list … TITLES like ‘prince’, ‘duke’ and ‘earl’ aren’t just fancy names given to royals and their extended family members. Also referred to as: Kate is sometimes called the Countess of Strathearn while in Scotland, and Lady Carrickfergus while in Northern Ireland. Full name: Born Camilla Rosemary Shand; after her first marriage, she was known as Camilla Parker Bowles. Someone with a noble title of legal importance is known as a peer. The couple had several surname options to choose from, but ultimately went with Mountbatten-Windsor, a joint moniker available to descendants of Prince Philip and the Queen. Branch of the Family Tree: Peter Phillips is the only son of Princess Anne and the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, Full names: Zara Anne Elizabeth Tindall née Phillips, Michael James Tindall, Mia Grace Tindall, and Lena Elizabeth Tindall. Curious to know how Queen Elizabeth II chooses official titles? As with his older sister, James received the courtesy titles of the son of an earl. Title styled as: James, Viscount Severn. The Duke of Edinburgh passed away on April 9, at the age of 99. Despite recent attempts at gender equality, the royal family still sticks to certain male-oriented traditions. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. That’s especially true for high-ranking ones like dukedom. Title styled as: His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Let’s face it: The royal family’s official titles are complicated and confusing. Members of royalty receive official titles from the monarch. “The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm bearing date 22nd February, 1957, to give and grant unto His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., G.B.E., the style and titular dignity of a Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Whitehall,” the letters patent began, as per Town & Country. While the royal family generally doesn't use last names, when required on official documents and the like, the Queen's children can use the last name "Mountbatten-Windsor," a hybrid of the royal House of Windsor and the name Philip assumed when he became a naturalized British citizen. • The word monarch is derived from the Greek μονάρχης, monárkhēs, "sole ruler" (from μόνος, mónos, "single" or "sole", and ἄρχων, árkhōn, archon, "leader", "ruler", "chief", the word being the present participle of the verb ἄρχειν, árkhein, "to rule", "to lead", this from the noun ὰρχή, arkhē, "beginning", "authority", "principle") through the Latinized form monarcha. Tensions between Prince Harry and the royal family have seemingly escalated over the past few years.Things appeared to come to a head after he and wife Meghan Markle stepped down as … But, in modern times, peerages are more honorary. Not everyone in the royal family receives a dukedom — even if they are a son or grandson of the monarch. Titles: Like her older brother Peter, Zara's parents reportedly turned down the Queen’s offer for one in hopes that Zara might lead a more normal life. Viscount. In the past, royal family titles explained a region of land owned by a royal. The Royal Family also plays an important role in recognising and supporting the work of the Armed Services. Also referred to as: Prince William is sometimes called the Earl of Strathearn while in Scotland, and Baron Carrickfergus while in Northern Ireland. Royal titles and family tree explained By Kieran Doody @kierandoody UK Trending Editor Duke and Duchess of Sussex holding their son Archie during a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mrs Tutu at their legacy foundation in cape Town. But … Duke: The highest rank and title in the British peerage, first introduced by Edward III in 1337 when he created the Black Prince the first English duke. For example, some believe she chose Duke of Cambridge for Prince William because the last person with that title married a commoner for love. In each circle, royal family titles of cousins and nieces could matter a great deal or not at all. There is also the question of surnames. Each country has its own system of ranking and naming nobles. Branch of the Family Tree: Zara Tindall is the only daughter of Princess Anne and the eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, Full name: Andrew Albert Christian Edward, Title styled as: His Royal Highness the Duke of York. Title styled as: His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex (Note: It's been reported that after his father's death, he'll assume the title Duke of Edinburgh.). A viscount is the fourth rank in the British peerage system, standing below an earl and above a baron. So, we’ll very quickly explore a few cultures where getting the court titles right could mean the difference between a smile and a day in the stocks. In addition to being bestowed, the titles could also be inherited, but only by male heirs. Full name: Born Philip, Prince of Greece; after he became a naturalized British citizen in 1947, he assumed the name Philip Mountbatten. As Zara doesn't have a title, none of her family members do either. Also referred to as: Sophie is sometimes referred to as the Countess of Forfar in Scotland. Prince George of Cambridge. We’ve got the royal family titles explained, ahead. Also referred to as: Princess Anne, which was how her title was styled before she became the Princess Royal. Branch of the Family Tree: Second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Full names: Peter Mark Andrew Phillips, Autumn Patricia Phillips née Kelly, Isla Elizabeth Phillips, and Savannah Anne Kathleen Phillips. stylecaster.com - When Prince Philip passed away in April 2021, his death marked the passing of Britain’s longest-serving royal consort in the nation’s history. Branch of the Family Tree: Youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, Title styled as: Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex. Members of the royal family are called "Her/His Royal Highness," but in the case of divorce the nonbirthright royal loses the HRH style, just like Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson did. The order of succession is the sequence of members of the Royal Family in the order in which they stand in line to the throne. Title styled as: Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex. That’s especially true when it comes to royal family titles. Title styled as: His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, Title styled as: His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. For his part, Brooksbank did not get a title upon marrying into the royal family. Fun fact: The Queen is technically also the Duke of Lancaster. When choosing a baby name, royal parents often choose family names and think about its reputation. (Understandably, it's easy to be thrown after hearing Prince William referred to as Baron Carrickfergus.). Also referred to as: Andrew can be referred to as the Earl of Inverness in Scotland, and as Baron Killyleagh in Northern Ireland. Case in point: The queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward is Earl of Wessex. And, also why Princess Anne’s husband, Sir Timothy Laurence is not a duke. latest additions to Meghan Markle’s staff, What to Expect from the Royal Family in 2019, 27 Photos of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland, Photos of the Anniversary of Charles' Investiture, The Royals Attend the Festival of Remembrance, Kate Middleton's Title When Prince William Is King. As sovereign of the nation, a queen outranks everyone, and also has the power to grant other titles. The preternaturally gorgeous Lady Kitty Spencer, whose parents are Charles Spencer, 9th Earl of Spencer and Victoria Aitken, is a prime example. Aside from the nobility titles we're about to discuss, there are a few other terms you should know to understand how a monarchy works. In the royal family, only the sons and grandsons earn dukedoms — aka the highest ranking title. Need the royal family titles explained? Branch of the Family Tree: Married to Prince Harry, son of Prince Charles and grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, Full name: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Some members of the Royal Family hold several different titles, while other royals may hold none at all and are simply known as Mr or Miss. Keep reading. Members of the Royal Family further away from the crown such as Prince Edward (Earl of Wessex) are given the title. Branch of the Family Tree: Married to Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II's youngest child, Full name: Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor. Occasionally, he … Chances are, the queen likely considers this when selecting an official title, too. Quite simply, the next in line to the throne ascends as King or … The Prince of Wales is an official royal title held exclusively for the heir apparent. Branch of the Family Tree: Son of Prince Charles; grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, Full name: Born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, Title styled as: Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge. The queen consort would be the wife of a king, … After all, they are like second names to royals. As with a marquess, an earl should be addressed as “My Lord” or “Your Lordship”. Prince George of Cambridge is third in line to the throne. When Eugenie married her husband Jack Brooksbank, she dropped "of York," and added her husband's name to her title. A Duke is “Most Noble”; he is styled “My Lord Duke” and “Your Grace” and all his younger sons are “Lords” and all … In 2008 he married Autumn Kelly, and the couple have two children together: Savannah Phillips and Isla Phillips. Title styled as: Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Branch of the Family Tree: Son Prince Harry, grandson of Prince Charles and great-grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, Title styled as: Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal. As Peter doesn't have a title, none of his family members do either. Some are dukes and duchesses, others are Earls and countesses, and some even receive special dukedoms based on their place in line to the throne. The styles and titles of the British royal families can be understood by taking the two periods – before and after 1917. Branch of the Family Tree: Oldest son of Queen Elizabeth II. Also referred to as: In Scotland, Prince Charles is sometimes referred to as the Duke of Rothesay. Which, can get tricky since there allegedly aren’t that many available names to choose from — especially when it comes to dukedoms. First British Royalty Rank: Queen/King The King or the Queen of the United Kingdom is … Archie currently doesn't have a title, but could become a Prince after Prince Charles ascends the throne. With the exception of knighting — which Prince Charles and Prince William occasionally do — the monarch is the only one who can grant royal titles. Title styled as: Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall, Also referred to as: Camilla is sometimes referred to as the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, and the Duchess of Cornwall while in the southwest of England. They do, however, each have a relatively simple way to style their respective titles—and that's what's described below. He is the first … An explanation of the British Royal titles & the Nobility in the United Kingdom. In the royal family, the heir apparent has a host of special privileges — including royal titles. The determination of the order of precedence is based on various factors. 2021 Showbiz Cheat Sheet, All Rights Reserved. When it comes down to it, the queen — or whoever is monarch — counts on availability when choosing official royal titles. The basis for the succession was determined in the constitutional developments of the seventeenth century, which culminated in the Bill of Rights (1689) and the Act of Settlement (1701). Some members of the Royal Family hold a baron title. The five possible titles, ranked from highest to lowest, are: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron for men; duchess, marchioness, countess, viscountess, and baroness for women. The royals, quite literally, go by many names. Senior titled members of the royal family do not usually use a surname, although since 1960 Mountbatten-Windsor, incorporating Prince Philip 's adopted surname of Mountbatten, has been prescribed as a surname for Elizabeth II's direct descendants who do not have royal styles and titles, and it has sometimes been used when required for those who do have such titles. It's made all the more confusing by the fact that most royal family members "have several titles, most of which are rarely used in public life," explains Wendy Bosberry-Scott, a spokesperson for Debrett's, the company behind the comprehensive Peerage & Baronetage. Titles: Peter Phillips’s parents, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, reportedly turned down the Queen’s offer of a royal title for their son, hoping instead to enable him to lead a more normal life. … There are other royal titles (or they may be simply noble titles if the country only considers one family "royal") such as duke, duchess, baron, count and viscount, among others. In the royal family, the heir apparent has a host of special privileges — including royal titles. Their children also acquire a lord or lady title. However, both titles are not inherited. They accumulate honors and knighthoods on the regular, but it really gets confusing when they travel around the U.K. and seem to assume a new title. Branch of the Family Tree: Son of Prince Edward; grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Which explains why Jack Brooksbank did not become a duke upon marriage to the queen’s granddaughter, Princess Eugenie. Depending on where they are in the U.K., members of the British royal family go by different titles. There are more barons or lords of parliament than any other peerage with a current 426 titles. Marquesses, earls, viscounts and their female counterparts can all be referred to as lord or lady instead of their big fancy titles. Branch of the Family Tree: Married to Prince William, son of Prince Charles and grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, Title styled as: His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, Branch of the Family Tree: Son of Prince William; grandson of Prince Charles; great-grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, Title styled as: Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Branch of the Family Tree: Daughter of Prince William; granddaughter of Prince Charles; great-granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Title styled as: His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge, Title styled as: His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex. | Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images. Zara married Mike Tindall, a former rugby player, in 2011, and the couple have two children together: Mia Tindall and Lena Tindall. British Royal Family Tree; How To Get Your Own Royal Title; Kingdoms and Monarchs of the World; Some Useful Terms to Start. 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