Prince of Asturias (Spanish: Príncipe de Asturias, Asturian: Príncipe d'Asturies) is the historical (and under the Spanish Constitution of 1978, the official) title given to the heir to the Spanish throne. It was also the title under the earlier Crown of Castile. The current Prince of Asturias is Felipe, son of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofía. Contrary to practice in non-Iberian countries, should there be no heir apparent, the title can be (but is not necessarily) given to the heir presumptive – a daughter, sibling or matrilineal descendant of the monarch.
Other associated titles originate from the rest of the kingdoms that formed Spain: Prince of Viana (for Navarre), Prince of Girona (for Aragon), Duke of Montblanc (for Catalonia), Count of Cervera (for Valencia) and Lord of Balaguer (for Majorca).
Military dictator Francisco Franco appointed Juan Carlos de Borbón as his "successor with the title of King" but gave him the new title of Prince of Spain instead of Prince of Asturias.
The current Prince of Asturias has instituted the Prince of Asturias Awards.
Príncipe de Asturias Peak in Vinson Massif, Antarctica is named after the Prince of Asturias.
Famous quotes containing the words prince of and/or prince:
“I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king—and of a King of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself will take up arms—I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.”
—Elizabeth I (1533–1603)
“He never told us what he was,
Or what mischance, or other cause,
Had banished him from better days
To play the Prince of Castaways.”
—Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869–1935)