Princess vs. Prince — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 1, 2024
A princess is a female member of a royal family, often a king's daughter or queen's daughter; a prince is a male royal family member, typically the son of a king or queen.
Difference Between Princess and Prince
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A princess, in most traditional contexts, refers to a female member of a royal family, especially the daughter of a monarch such as a king or queen. Princesses can play various roles in their royal families and societies, ranging from ceremonial duties to active participation in philanthropic activities. On the other hand, a prince is a male member of a royal family, usually the son of a king or queen. Princes might also be involved in similar roles as princesses, including representing the royal family and undertaking public engagements.
The titles of princess and prince often come with specific duties, responsibilities, and expectations that vary significantly across different cultures and monarchies. For example, in some monarchies, princes may be groomed for eventual leadership or specific governmental roles, while princesses might focus more on social and charitable work. Conversely, in other contexts, princesses also receive preparation for roles in governance or public service.
Inheritance and succession laws significantly impact the lives of princes and princesses, with many countries historically prioritizing male offspring in the line of succession. However, this has been changing in recent years, with several monarchies adopting gender-neutral succession laws, which affect both princes and princesses equally regarding their rights to ascend to the throne.
Marriage traditions for princes and princesses can also differ, with historical expectations often emphasizing strategic alliances through marriage. These expectations have evolved, and while personal choice in marriage has become more common for royalty, their unions often still attract significant public and media attention.
The cultural and media portrayal of princes and princesses varies, with fairy tales and stories often romanticizing their lives. However, the reality of being a prince or princess involves a complex blend of public duties, personal rights, and the pressures of living under public scrutiny. Both roles embody the heritage and traditions of their families and nations, but they do so under distinct expectations and paths defined by their gender and specific family traditions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A female royal family member, often a monarch’s daughter.
A male royal family member, typically a monarch’s son.
Roles and Responsibilities
Can include ceremonial duties, philanthropic work, and representing the royal family.
Similar to princesses, with potential emphasis on preparation for leadership or governance.
Inheritance and Succession
Historically often behind males in succession lines, but changing with new laws.
Traditionally prioritized in succession, though this is evolving towards equality.
Marriage Traditions
Historically focused on strategic alliances; now more personal choice but highly public.
Similar to princesses, with a mix of traditional expectations and modern personal choice.
Cultural Portrayal
Often romanticized in fairy tales and media as figures of beauty and grace.
Frequently depicted as heroes or leaders in stories and media.
Compare with Definitions
Princess
Can also refer to a woman married to a prince.
Princess Diana became an iconic figure in her lifetime.
Prince
A male royal family member, usually the son of a monarch.
Prince Charles is the heir apparent to the British throne.
Princess
Titles and roles may vary significantly across cultures.
In some countries, a princess may have her own substantive title.
Prince
Engages in diplomatic and charitable activities.
Prince Harry has founded several charities and initiatives.
Princess
Often involved in philanthropy and public engagements.
Princess Sofia is actively involved in health and education initiatives.
Prince
May have specific roles in the military or government.
Historically, princes often held high positions in the military.
Princess
A female member of a royal family, especially a daughter of the king and queen.
Princess Anne is known for her charitable work.
Prince
Titles can include those married into the royal family.
Prince Philip was known for his dedication to public service.
Princess
Subject to specific succession and inheritance laws.
Changes in law have enabled princesses in some monarchies to have equal succession rights as princes.
Prince
Also affected by changes in succession laws.
Modern laws ensure that the birth of a younger brother does not displace an older sister in the line of succession.
Princess
A female lemur.
Prince
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. Prince is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states.
Princess
Princess is a regal rank and the feminine equivalent of prince (from Latin princeps, meaning principal citizen). Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or for the daughter of a king or prince.
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the monarch, especially a son of the monarch.
Princess
A woman member of a royal family other than the monarch, especially a daughter of a monarch.
Prince
A man who is a ruler of a principality.
Princess
A woman who is a ruler of a principality.
Prince
A hereditary male ruler; a king.
Princess
A woman who is a hereditary ruler; a queen.
Prince
A nobleman of varying status or rank.
Princess
A noblewoman of varying status or rank.
Prince
An outstanding man, especially in a particular group or class
A merchant prince.
Princess
The wife of a prince.
Prince
A (male) ruler, a sovereign; a king, monarch.
Princess
A woman regarded as having the status or qualities of a princess.
Prince
(obsolete) A female monarch.
Princess
Designed to hang in smooth, close-fitting, unbroken lines from shoulder to flared hem
A princess dress.
Prince
Someone who is preeminent in their field; a great person.
He is a prince among men.
Princess
A female member of a royal family other than a queen, especially a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch.
Prince
The (male) ruler or head of a principality.
Princess
A woman or girl who excels in a given field or class.
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the ruler; especially (in the United Kingdom) the son or grandson of the monarch.
Princess
A female ruler or monarch; a queen.
Prince
A non-royal high title of nobility, especially in France and the Holy Roman Empire.
Prince Louis de Broglie won the 1929 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Princess
The wife of a prince; the female ruler of a principality.
Princess Grace was the Princess of Monaco.
Prince
The mushroom Agaricus augustus.
Princess
A young girl; used as a term of endearment.
Prince
A type of court card used in tarot cards, the equivalent of the jack.
Princess
A young girl or woman (or less commonly a man) who is vain, spoiled or selfish; a prima donna.
Prince
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Rohana.
Princess
A tinted crystal marble used in children's games.
Prince
A title belonging to persons of high rank, differing in different countries. In England it belongs to dukes, marquises, and earls, but is given to members of the royal family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is always one of the royal family.
Princess
A type of court card in the Tarot pack, coming between the 10 and the prince (Jack).
Prince
The chief of any body of men; one at the head of a class or profession; one who is preëminent; as, a merchant prince; a prince of players.
Princess
A female prince; a woman having sovereign power, or the rank of a prince.
So excellent a princess as the present queen.
Prince
To play the prince.
Princess
The daughter of a sovereign; a female member of a royal family.
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
Princess
The consort of a prince; as, the princess of Wales.
Princess
A female member of a royal family other than the queen (especially the daughter of a sovereign)
Common Curiosities
Can a princess become a queen?
Yes, depending on the monarchy's succession laws, a princess can become a queen, either as a reigning monarch in her own right or as the consort of a king.
What roles do princes and princesses play in modern monarchies?
In modern monarchies, both princes and princesses often engage in public service, charitable work, and represent their countries on the international stage, with their specific roles evolving over time.
How is a prince defined?
A prince is generally a male member of a royal family, usually the son of a monarch, with duties and titles that may include governance, military roles, and public service.
Do princesses and princes have the same rights to the throne?
Historically, princes were often prioritized in the line of succession, but many modern monarchies have adopted gender-neutral succession laws, giving princesses and princes equal rights.
How do marriage traditions for princes and princesses differ?
Traditionally, marriage for princes and princesses involved strategic alliances, but now, while still public and significant, they have more personal choice in their partners.
How are princes and princesses portrayed in media and culture?
Media and cultural portrayals vary, often romanticizing their lives in fairy tales and stories, while also focusing on their public roles, personal lives, and contributions to society.
What defines a princess?
A princess is typically defined as a female member of a royal family, often the daughter of a king or queen, with specific roles and titles that can vary by monarchy.
Are there differences in public expectations for princes and princesses?
While there are high standards of conduct for both, specific expectations can vary, often influenced by traditional gender roles and public perceptions.
Can princesses hold power in a monarchy?
Yes, princesses can hold significant power and influence, both historically and in contemporary settings, depending on their monarchy's laws and traditions.
What impact do succession laws have on princes and princesses?
Succession laws directly impact their rights to the throne and their positions within the royal family, with recent changes aiming for more gender equality.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
