Posted by M.Sjostrom on 10/6/2009, 11:29:08, in reply to "Re: A question of titles"
82.181.239.182
this one is not at all surprising. This follows an oft-attested *medieval* custom of attributing all lords and ladies (of course ladies who were consorts of such lords) upwards from the rank of count (medieval county) as princes/princesses. Without any specific principality, or other mention of what they possibly were princes/princesses of.
In middle ages, and some centuries afterwards, the rank of prince (as seen in the book title of Macchiavelli, for example), was generic, and more like an adjective, than a substantive title.
There are countless examples of 'Noble and Puissant prince, (firstname), count of this and that' and upwards, even to kings: 'the high and mighty prince, lord (firstname), king of...'
I think it should first be observed that the queen-mother's adjective just in front of her first name, 'princess', has no attribution to what she would be princess of.
Because, i think, in examples of this custom, the adjectival prince/princess did not mean a principality or such, it was an adjectival honorific attached to the person who was high enough in the ranks of semi-sovereignty.
Observe that in those days where this practice comes (and is attested during...), there yet was NOT the formalized title of Prince of the United Kingdom, nor any equivalent for dynasts' use; rather, we hear that daughters of british kings in such days still were 'Lady Elizabeth' and corresponding.
In England today, still at least the marquesses and dukes are adjectivised in some very formal titularies as
'mighty prince (firstname), marquess of...'
And obviously there, it's not a formal substantive title, but should rather be held as adjective.
However, this does not tally with an idea that queen (not born as a princess) would be princess of something, such as princess of Belgium -
precisely because the above-explained custom had no 'of', but was adjectival.
--Previous Message--
:
: Thus it hath pleased Almighty God to take
: out of this transitory life unto His Divine
: Mercy the late Most High, Most Mighty and
: Most Excellent Princess Elizabeth , Queen
: Dowager and Queen Mother, Lady of the Most
: Noble Order of the Garter, Lady of the Most
: Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle,
: Lady of the Imperial Order of the Crown of
: India, Grand Master and Dame Grand Cross of
: the Royal Victorian Order upon whom had been
: conferred the Royal Victorian Chain, Dame
: Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of
: the British Empire, Dame Grand Cross of the
: Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St
: John, Relict of His Majesty King George the
: Sixth and Mother of.....
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