Difference Between Duchess and Princess
Duchess and princess are two of the highest hereditary titles in the peerage. Although both titles may be held by the same person, there is a difference between them. A princess is a member of the royal family, but duchess is not considered to be a part of royalty. Duchess is the highest rank in the peerage. This is the main difference between duchess and princess.
Who is a Duchess
Dukedom is the highest hereditary rank of the British peerage. It is the highest rank below the monarch or king. A duchess is the wife of a duke or a woman who equally holds the rank of duke in her own right. A duchess holds equal rank to a duke. A duchess is also above the ranks of marchioness, viscountess, countess, and baroness. Duchess, if she does not hold any other title, is not in line to the throne. It is also important to note that daughter of a duke is not called a duchess unless she is the heir to the dukedom. If a princess marries a duke, she is entitled to the title duchess.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Who is a Princess
Duchess is a female member of a royal family, especially daughter or granddaughter of a king or queen. Other female family members of a king or queen (ex; sister, niece, aunt, etc.) may also hold the title princess. The wife of a prince also holds the title princess. Even a commoner marrying a prince can gain the title of princess.
A princess is a member of royalty, and she may be next in line to the throne. Princess can also hold various titles such as duchess and countess. For example, Princess Beatrice, the daughter of Queen Victoria was also the Duchess of Saxony. At the same time, a wife of a prince may not be granted the title of princess. For example, the second wife of Prince Charles holds the official title the Duchess of Cornwall.
Diana, Princess of Wales
Difference Between Duchess and Princess
Definition
Duchess is the wife or widow of a duke or a woman who equally holds the rank of duke in her own right.
Princess is a member of the royal family, especially daughter or granddaughter of a king or queen.
Royalty
Duchess is a member of the aristocracy.
Princess is a member of royalty.
Rank
Duchess has a lower rank than a princess.
Princess outranks duchess.
Heir
Duchess may not be an heir to the throne.
Princess can be an heir to the throne.
Daughter
The daughter of a duke is not called duchess unless she is the heir.
The daughter of a king or queen is called princess.
Address
Duchess should be addressed as your grace.
Princess should be addressed as your royal highness, or your highness.
Image Courtesy:
“Lady-diana-101757 w1000” By Gegodeju – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge” – Carfax2derivative work: Surtsicna – This file was derived from Duchess of Cambridge, 16 June 2012.JPG: (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
