Titles of the Royal Family

[An Ard Ri]

There are currently 7 Infantas

HRH Infanta Leonor (daughter of Prince Felipe)
HRH Infanta Sofia (daughter of Prince Felipe)
HRH Infanta Elena(Kings daughter)
HRH Infanta Cristina (Kings daughter)
HRH Infanta Pilar (Kings older sister)
HRH Infanta Margarita (Kings younger sister)
HRH Infanta Alicia (Infanta by marriage & the Kings aunt in law)

There's currently only one Infante .

HRH Infante Carlos,Duke of Calabria (King's first cousin)

 

[AnaC]

Only Princess of Asturias uses the title princess. All daughters and sisters of the Monarch, and the wives of the sons and brothers of the Monarch use the title of Infanta. Also the daughters of the Ptince of Asturias are Infantas as well. The male version is Infante.
For further reading: Infante - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spanish Royal Family - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not the wives of the infantes, Princess Anne is not an Infanta.

 

[chuchu]

Not the wives of the infantes, Princess Anne is not an Infanta.

Why is she called a princess, if this title is reserved for the Princess of Asturias.

 

[Lumutqueen]

Why is she called a princess, if this title is reserved for the Princess of Asturias.

She was born a Princess.

 

[jonc93]

In Portugal we also use Infanta and Infante the same way as in Spain. Also I've Seen Elena and Cristina called Princess ___ of Spain when translated into English.

 

[fearghas]

Not the wives of the infantes, Princess Anne is not an Infanta.

Wasnt the duKe of Calabria created an Infante by the King in recognition for being the heir to spain at one time? That might explain why his wife is not an infanta

 

[An Ard Ri]

Why is she called a princess, if this title is reserved for the Princess of Asturias.

Princess Anne is French born Princess ,her husband was only created an Infante of Spain in December 1994.

The King did not make Anne an Infanta by marriage perhaps out of deference to her mother inlaw,Infanta Alica,Dowager Duchess of Calabria.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Wasnt the duKe of Calabria created an Infante by the King in recognition for being the heir to spain at one time? That might explain why his wife is not an infanta

Both of the King's sisters renounced their Succession rights before they married,if this is deemed valid under the present Spanish constitution the Duke of Calabria would be next inline after the children & grandchildren of King Juan Carlos I.

Infante Alfonso, Duke of Calabria (The father of Infante Carlos) was heir-presumptive to the Spanish crown (1904-1907) until the birth of his cousin Alfonso,Prince of Asturias. Infante Alfonso was the only son of Mercedes, Princess of Asturias who was a daughter of Alfonso XII.

I must point out that Infante Carlos is not currently named on the Spanish line of Succession which is limited to only the heirs of King Juan Carlos I.

 

[Kataryn]

The title of "Infante" or "Infanta" comes from the word for children - infantes. It means a prince or princess born of the blood royal. In former times it included the meaning Infante/Infanta of Spain as being the property of the souverain. The same goes for France where the Prince and Princesses of the blood were called the "Enfants de France".

 

[AnaC]

Why is she called a princess, if this title is reserved for the Princess of Asturias.

Because her title is not Spanish. She was born a Princess of France and married a Prince of the Two-Sicilies and that's why she's a Princess, it has nothing to do with her husband being an Infante.

Wasnt the duKe of Calabria created an Infante by the King in recognition for being the heir to spain at one time? That might explain why his wife is not an infanta

As An Ard Ri explained the heir was his father and not don Carlos. In any case it doesn't matter if he was created an Infante or if he had been born an Infante (as the King's brother, for example), his wife wouldn't be an infanta unless the King created her an infanta. Besides the title of Queen Consort, the only title shared after marriage in the Spanish Royal Family is that of Pince or Princess of Asturias.

 

[Grandduchess24]

Isn't an infanta just the Spanish version of a princess and isn't an infanta a higher title than princess?

 

[Lumutqueen]

Isn't an infanta just the Spanish version of a princess and isn't an infanta a higher title than princess?

Infante also anglicised as Infant, is the title and rank given in the European kingdoms of Spain and Portugal to the sons or daughters of the King who were not the heir to the throne. Prince and Princess are titles for the heir to the throne, and his wife or vice versa.

The current Infantas of Spain (by birth). are:

• Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (eldest daughter of Juan Carlos and Sofía, King and Queen of Spain);
• Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca (youngest daughter of Juan Carlos and Sofía, King and Queen of Spain);
• Infanta Leonor of Spain (eldest daughter of Felipe and Letizia, Princes of Asturias);
• Infanta Sofia of Spain (younger daughter of Felipe and Letizia, Princes of Asturias);
• Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz (eldest sister of King Juan Carlos of Spain);
• Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria (youngest sister of King Juan Carlos of Spain);

 

[AnaC]

Infante also anglicised as Infant, is the title and rank given in the European kingdoms of Spain and Portugal to the sons or daughters of the King who were not the heir to the throne. Prince and Princess are titles for the heir to the throne, and his wife or vice versa.

The current Infantas of Spain (by birth). are:

• Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (eldest daughter of Juan Carlos and Sofía, King and Queen of Spain);
• Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca (youngest daughter of Juan Carlos and Sofía, King and Queen of Spain);
• Infanta Leonor of Spain (eldest daughter of Felipe and Letizia, Princes of Asturias);
• Infanta Sofia of Spain (younger daughter of Felipe and Letizia, Princes of Asturias);
• Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz (eldest sister of King Juan Carlos of Spain);
• Infanta Margarita, Duchess of Soria (youngest sister of King Juan Carlos of Spain);

And Infanta Alicia, Dowager Duchess of Calabria (mother of Infante Carlos)

 

[An Ard Ri]

And Infanta Alicia, Dowager Duchess of Calabria (mother of Infante Carlos)

And widow of the King's uncle Infante Alfonso, Duke of Calabria (a grandson of Alfonso XII).

 

[Livia]

Isn't an infanta just the Spanish version of a princess and isn't an infanta a higher title than princess?

They are the same. Prince Felipe will be a King one day, and then Infanta Leonor (if she doesn't have a brother or the law is changed) will be the Princess of Asturias and her sister will remain Infanta.

 

[NGalitzine]

The only people titled Prince and Princess in Spain are the Prince and Princess of Asturias. Felipes daughters, his sisters and his aunts are titled as Infantas of Spain.

 

[DukeOfAster]

Yes, but in what way Juan Carlos could claim the titles of Habsburgs, as he is not descended from them in male-line and the house of Habsburg is extant.

If I understand what has been said they are titles that historically goes with the title of King of Spain

 

[Josefine]

What will be leonore title?

 

[Bine221]

What will be leonore title?

Now she will become Princess of Asturias
Bye Bine

 

[principessa]

When Infanta Leonor will marry will her husband then be known as His Royal Highness the prince of Asturias or what will he be after the marriage?

 

[An Ard Ri]

That's quite a long way off but as the Princess is also Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera and Lady of Balague perhaps her consort would use one of her lesser titles?

 

[Curryong]

He might be a member of the Spanish nobility and have a title of his own. Or be an aristocrat from another nation.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

When Infanta Leonor will marry will her husband then be known as His Royal Highness the prince of Asturias or what will he be after the marriage?

He will, assuming that the present law is not amended. But he, in contrast to Spanish consorts before 1987, will be only a Prince and a Royal Highness after she becomes Queen.

Royal Decree 1368/1987, dated 6 th November, regulating titles, forms of address and honours pertaining to the Royal Family and to the Regents

Chapter One: Of the Royal Family

Article 1

1.

The holder of the Crown shall be termed The King or The Queen of Spain and He or She may use the other titles pertaining to the Crown, as well as the other peerages belonging to the Royal Family. He or She shall be addressed as His or Her Majesty.


2.

The King of Spain's wife, whilst She remains His spouse or stays a widow, shall be termed The Queen and be addressed as Her Majesty, being entitled to the honours pertaining to Her Dignity, pursuant to the law of the Realm.


3. The husband of The Queen of Spain, whilst he remains so or stays a widower, shall be entitled to the Dignity of Prince. He shall be addressed as Your Royal Highness and be entitled to the honours pertaining to his Dignity, pursuant to the law of the Realm.



Article 2

The heir to the Crown shall, as from his or her birth or as from the moment the fact giving rise to such entitlement arises, possess the Dignity of The Prince or The Princess of the Asturias, as well as the remaining titles traditionally attached to the Successor to the Crown and be entitled to the honours pertaining to him or her by virtue thereof. He or she shall be addressed as Your Royal Highness. The same Dignity and form of address shall correspond to his or her spouse, with the honours deriving therefrom, pursuant to the laws of the Realm.



Article 3

1.

The King's sons and daughters not possessing the Dignity of Prince or Princess of the Asturias, as well as the children of the latter Prince or Princess, shall be Infantes or Infantas of Spain, respectively, and shall be addressed as Your Royal Highness. Their spouses, whilst they continue being so or stay a widower or widow, shall be entitled to the form of address and honours The King, as a gracious decision, may grant them, pursuant to the powers vested upon Him by paragraph f) of Article 62 of the Constitution.


2.

Likewise, The King may grant the dignity of Infante or Infanta and the form of address of Your Royal Highness to those persons he shall deem fit of such a grace given the exceptional circumstances that concur.


3.

Except as provided in the present Article and the preceding one hereof, and save as provided in Article 5 hereof for members of the Regency, no person whatsoever may:

a) Use the title of Prince or Princess of the Asturias or employ any other title whatsoever traditionally attached to the Successor to the Crown of Spain;

b) Use the title of Infante or Infanta of Spain.

c) Receive the forms of address and honours pertaining to the Dignities mentioned in paragraphs a) and b) above.





Article 4

The children of an Infante or Infanta of Spain shall have the consideration of Spanish Grandees, but shall not be entitled by virtue thereof to a special form of address other than that of Your Excellency.



Chapter Two: Of the Regency



Article 5

The persons exercising the Regency shall be addressed as Your Highness with the same honours as those laid down for The Prince of the Asturias, unless entitled to honours of a higher rank.



Chapter Three: Of the peerages pertaining to the Royal Family



Article 6

The use of peerages, pertaining to the Royal Family, may only be authorised by the Holder of the Crown to members of His or Her Family. The conferment of use of the title shall be considered a grace of a personal nature and for life.



Transitory Provisions


First

1.

Juan of Bourbon and Battemberg, father of His Majesty The King, Juan Carlos I of Bourbon, shall continue using for life the title of Count of Barcelona, shall be addressed as Your Royal Highness and be entitled to honours analogous to those pertaining to The Prince of the Asturias.


2.

The same title and form of address shall correspond to María de las Mercedes of Bourbon and Orleans, the mother His Majesty The King, Juan Carlos I of Bourbon.




Second

The sisters of His Majesty The King, Juan Carlos I of Bourbon, shall be Infantas of Spain and shall preserve the right to the form of address of Your Royal Highness for life, but neither their husbands nor their children shall be so entitled.




Third

Those members of the family of His Majesty The King, Juan Carlos I of Bourbon, who currently have been recognised the use of a peerage pertaining to the Royal Family and to the form of address of Your Royal Highness may conserve them for life, but neither their spouses nor their children shall be so entitled.


Repeal provision


All legal provisions whatsoever of equal or lesser rank, contrary to the provisions contained in the present Royal Decree, are hereby repealed.

 

[Mbruno]

He will, assuming that the present law is not amended. But he, in contrast to Spanish consorts before 1987, will er be only a Prince and a Royal Highness after she becomes Queen.

Tnak you for posting the Royal Decree. I really appreciate countries like Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands where there are clear legal rules that specify the titles of the different members of the Royal Family, as opposed to, let's say, the Scandinavian monarchies, especially Sweden, where royal titles seem to depend exclusively on the King's personal will.

Having said that though, I actually think it is odd that the husband of the Princess of Asturias be also called Prince of Asturias, which, in a way, is similar to the old Spanish practice (now abandoned according to the Royal Decree) of naming the husband of a reigning Queen as King. The right approach in my opinion would have been to make Princess Leonor's future husband a "Prince of Spain", but not necessarily "Prince of Asturias", similarly to the future husband of Princess Catharina Amalia, who will probably be a Prince of the Netherlands , but not the Prince of Orange. I am not sure, but I believe the same rule will apply to Princess Elisabeth's husband, who, most likely, will be created a Prince of Belgium, but won't have the title of Duke of Brabant, which is reserved only to the heir apparent.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

You're very welcome. Prince of Asturias is the traditional title of the husband of the Princess of Asturias, in the way that the husband of a Spanish Duchess is a Duke, et cetera. The exception to the rule is that the title Infante of Spain was never automatic for the husbands of Infantas, albeit the few equal husbands who settled in Spain before the end of the monarchy in 1931 were created Infantes. I agree that it is odd to change the tradition for the husband of the queen but not the husband of the heiress.

 

[Al_bina]

Frederica and Froilan are going to be as tall as Don Jaime and King Felipe. I wonder if Froilan will inherit the title "Duke of Lugo".

 

[Biri]

Probably yes, why not?
And Juan Urdangarin will inherit the title of the Duke of Palma de Mallorca.

 

[Al_bina]

Veering off the topic ...
I chatted with a Spaniard, who mentioned that Don Jaime (not Infanta Elena) can leave the title in question to whoever he wants. I am not sure if it is true.

It is great that Infanta Cristina's eldest son will inherit her title.

 

[Biri]

Uuuhhh, it was just my supposition.

 

[Countessmeout]

Um.....No. Neither Frolian or Juan will inherit.

The infantas were granted Life peerages upon marriage, meaning neither Lugo or Palma could be inherited. Their kids are don/donna as kids of infantas and that is all they will be. Cristina lost her title recently anyways. Inaki and Jamie were not made Dukes, simply allowed to use wife's title.

As for Jamie even if Lugo was inheritable it would not be his to give. It is not the UK, where Tony AJ had the tittle not Margaret and kept post marriage. Jamie wasn't Duke, it was simply a courtesy, one he lost at divorce. So even if not a life peer he had no say.

If inheritable the eldest child would inherit. They can only cede a lesser title to a younger, like the Duchess of Alba had.

Titles may also be ceded to heirs other than the senior heir, during the lifetime of the main titleholder. Normally, this process is used to allow younger children to succeed to lesser titles, while the highest or principal title goes to the senior heir. Only subsidiary titles may be ceded; the principal title must be reserved for the senior heir. The cession of titles may only be done with the approval of the monarch.