Definition

Noun: - The eldest daughter of a British sovereign: A specific, hereditary title granted by the British monarch to their eldest daughter. It is a unique title, not automatically held by all eldest daughters, but bestowed by the sovereign. Only one woman may hold this title at a time.

Usage Notes

• The term "Princess Royal" is a formal title, similar to "Duke" or "Earl." It is always capitalized.
• It is not merely a description (like "royal princess") but an official style. For example, Queen Elizabeth II was the eldest daughter of King George VI, but she was never styled Princess Royal because her aunt, Princess Mary, held the title at the time.
• The title is typically held for life, even if the sovereign who granted it dies.

Examples

• As a title:
  • Princess Anne is the current Princess Royal.
  • The title of Princess Royal was created by King Charles I for his daughter Mary.

Advanced Usage

• The title can be used metonymically to refer to the duties or public role associated with the position.
  • The Princess Royal carried out three official engagements this week.

Variants and Related Words

• Royal Princess: (A descriptive phrase, not a title) Any princess who is a member of a royal family.
  • The young royal princess attended the ceremony.

Synonyms

• None: As a specific, unique hereditary title, it has no direct synonyms. Descriptive phrases like "the sovereign's eldest daughter" describe the usual recipient but are not equivalent to the official title.

Noun

1. the eldest daughter of a British sovereign