I never understood this and was hoping someone could answer my question. Since I can't create a new topic in the "Monastery, this seems the next relevant place to post this.

So, besides the obvious differences in the ruler monarch title, are there any other differences that distinguish Duchies, Grand Duchies, Principalities, and Kingdoms from one another, or is this just what the peoples prefer to be called?

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These names refer to the size importance and hence importance of the *ruler* of the lands.

Duchy: The smallest of them, would be ruled by a duke or duchess, they are royalty but mainly in name only example would be the duke of cornwall who in theory is in line for the throne of england but only if 20 odd ppl eat the dust 1st.

Grand Duchy: Composed of several small territories and is ruled by a grand duke or duchess. A modern example is Luxembourg the worlds only remaining Grand Duchy whos royal family is I believe the remnants of the Hapsburgs?(mybe wrong idk)

Principality: Ruled by a Prince, can be composed of many duchys or few usually a important or very rich province. Modern example Monaco which has been ruled by princes for decades.

Kingdom: the combination of all the above ruled by a king or queen, the kingdom can be vast or small, many provinces or 1 city...if it has a king/queen it is a kingdom


(stolen mainly from google.)

Hope that Helps!

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A Duke is usually a Vassel of a King, it comes from the Latin Dux, a Grand Duke is just a half step up.

Prince and King mean something slightly different:

Prince comes from Princeps which is Latin for "The Best" or "Or the Foremost" i.e. the best man in the state.

King means "Of the Blood"" from Old English (Cyning)

Historically Kings had a quasi-divine/mystical liniage and claim to power where Princes didn't. After various Kingdoms broke down Duchies became autonomous and that was usually when you got Grand Duchies.

It's all a big mess, but they are ranked. Dukes don't necessarily need to be Royal, we actually have "Royal Dukes" in the UK, such as Michael of Kent. IRRC the current Duke of Glouester is not "Royal."

One point of note, the Duke of Cornwall is HRH the Prince of Wales, Charles Windsor. So first in line for the throne.

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I knew someone would notice that hehe... it was just an example

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