Distinguishing Between a Duchess & a Princess

The primary distinction between a duchess and a princess is that a duchess is either the wife or widow of a duke, or a woman who holds a rank equivalent to a duke in her own right, while a princess generally refers to a daughter or granddaughter of a king or queen. Both duchess and princess are among the highest female titles in the peerage, with a princess outranking a duchess. However, it is possible for one person to hold both titles.

Key Takeaways

• A duchess is either the wife or widow of a duke or a woman with a rank equivalent to a duke in her own right.
• A princess is typically the daughter or granddaughter of a king or queen.
• Princess is a higher rank than duchess, although one person can hold both titles.

Who is a Duchess?

A duchess is the female equivalent of a duke. She can be the wife or widow of a duke or a woman who holds a rank equivalent to a duke in her own right. A daughter of a duke is not a duchess unless she is the sole heir to the duke. Duchess and Duke are the highest-ranking titles in the peerage, above the ranks of marchioness/marquess, viscountess/viscount, countess/earl, and baroness/baron. Some royal houses confer dukedoms to royal princes and princesses, which is why some princesses and princes hold both the titles of duke/duchess and prince/princess. For example, Prince Charles also holds the title of Duke of Cornwall, so his wife has the title Duchess of Cornwall in addition to the title Princess of Wales.

Who is a Princess?

A princess is a royal title and the feminine equivalent of a prince. This title is typically used for daughters or granddaughters of a king or queen. For example, Princess Charlotte (Queen Elizabeth’s great-granddaughter), Princess Anne (Queen Elizabeth’s daughter), and Princess Margaret (King George V’s daughter and Queen Elizabeth’s sister) are all royal princesses by birth. However, a woman without a royal title can also gain the title of princess when she marries a royal prince. For example, Diana Spencer gained the title Princess of Wales upon her marriage to Prince Charles. However, a princess by marriage will lose her title if the couple divorces.

What is the Difference Between Duchess and Princess?

The main difference between a duchess and a princess is that a duchess is either the wife or widow of a duke, or a woman who holds a rank equivalent to a duke in her own right, while a princess is typically a female member of a royal family, especially a daughter or granddaughter of a king or queen. Furthermore, a princess is usually a higher rank than a duchess. Moreover, while the daughter of a king or prince is automatically known as a princess, the daughter of a duke does not receive the title of duchess unless she is the heir to the dukedom. Another notable difference between a duchess and a princess is that a duchess should be addressed as “Your Grace,” while a princess should be addressed as “Your Royal Highness” or “Your Highness.”

Summary – Duchess vs Princess

Duchess and princess are two of the highest female noble titles below queen. The key difference between a duchess and a princess is that a Duchess refers to a wife or widow of a duke or a woman holding a rank equivalent to Duke in her own right, whereas a princess typically refers to a daughter or granddaughter of a king or queen.