Spanish Nobility - Princes

Princes

There is also the often overlooked title of Prince (Principe/Princesa) used by those who have been granted or have inherited that title. It is often not included in lists of the Spanish nobility because it is rare: princely titles are now reserved for members of the royal family (the heir to the throne or the consort of the Queen regnant). The heir's princely titles derive from the ancient kingdoms which united to form Spain.

Other titles of prince were frequently granted by the kings of Spain, but usually in their capacity as Kings of Naples or of Sicily. Such nobles often sojourned at the Spanish court where their titles were used, but rarely were Spanish nobles the recipients of a title of prince combined with a territorial designation in Spain. The most notable exception was the title "Prince of the Peace" conferred on Manuel Godoy, a favourite of the King and, especially, of the Queen.

There is, however, one noble princedom which was created by the Spanish crown for the Barons of Belmonte that remains in use today; the Principe de Belmonte. Although legislation of the twentieth century ended official recognition of the title of prince outside the royal family, it did allow the holder of a princedom to have the dignity converted to a ducal title of the same name; at present the Princes of Belmonte have yet to request such conversion.

Three titles of prince are held by the heir to the Spanish throne.

• Prince of the Asturias as heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Castile and León.
• Prince of Girona as heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Aragon.
• Prince of Viana as heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Navarre.