The HRH Title: An Overview of Royalty and Heir Designations in Europe

The Her Royal Highness (HRH) and His Royal Highness (HRH) titles are among the most prestigious in the world, reserved for heirs to European monarchies. These titles indicate a person's entitlement to a royal status, and their precise eligibility varies across different countries. In this article, we will explore the rules and customs governing the HRH title in the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the HRH title is bestowed according to specific rules. These rules are not just limited to direct descendants of the monarch but also extend to more unusual cases, such as the widows of qualified men. Here are the key points:

Children of any British monarch. Children of sons of any British monarch. Children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. Widows of qualified men, provided they are not remarried. Wives of men falling under any of the above categories (with a notable exception: in case of divorce, the wife loses the HRH title). Children and husbands of daughters of British monarchs are typically not HRHs unless the daughter happens to be the heiress to the Crown in which case her husband and children are created HRHs via separate Letters Patent.

Spain

The rules in Spain are different and involve the heir to the Spanish Crown and certain other qualified individuals:

The husband of a reigning Queen of Spain. The heir to the Spanish Crown, known as the Prince or Princess of Asturias, and his or her spouse. The children of a King or reigning Queen who do not hold the dignity of Prince or Princess of Asturias. The children of the Prince or Princess of Asturias. Spouses and children of Infantes or Infantas are not entitled to the HRH style, nor do they hold the lower style of HH His/Her Highness, unless specifically designated.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has a unique system where the HRH title is mainly reserved for the heir to the throne and their immediate family, but it can also be granted by royal decree. Here are the main points:

A former Dutch monarch on abdication. The heir to the Dutch throne, known as the Prince or Princess of Orange. The husband of a reigning Queen of the Netherlands, if authorized by royal decree. The children of a King or reigning Queen of the Netherlands, other than the Prince or Princess of Orange, if authorized by royal decree. The spouse of the Prince or Princess of Orange, if authorized by royal decree. The children of the Prince or Princess of Orange, if authorized by royal decree. By courtesy, the wives or widows of men in Category 4 above retain the style. Husbands or widowers of HRHs by courtesy retain the style for life, but it can be superseded by a higher style, such as when the wife of the Prince of Orange becomes the Queen consort.

Sweden and Denmark

Sweden and Denmark follow a similar but not identical system:

The Crown Prince or Crown Princess (heir apparent to the throne) and their spouses or widows/widowers. The children of a King or reigning Queen who are not the Crown Prince or the Crown Princess. The children of the Crown Prince or Crown Princess. The wives or widows of sons of a King or reigning Queen. In Denmark, other grandchildren of the monarch who are not children of the Crown Prince are given the lower style of HH His/Her Highness.

Belgium

Belgium has a system similar to the United Kingdom and Sweden/Denmark:

People who are born as children or grandchildren of the King of the Belgians. People who are born as children or grandchildren of the heir to the Belgian throne if not already included in Category 1. Spouses of the heir to the throne or spouses of children of the King of the Belgians other than the heir to the throne, if specifically authorized by royal decree. By courtesy, wives or widows of Princes of Belgium who are not made HRHs in their own right by royal decree. Husbands or widowers of HRHs by courtesy retain the style for life, but it can be supplanted by a higher one, such as the Queen consort's style.

It's important to note that the HRH title is not only a mark of honor but also a significant aspect of royal protocol and tradition. These rules and customs are designed to maintain the dignity and heritage of royal families, ensuring that the title remains a symbol of prestige and authority within their respective realms.