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This is a list of 'British princesses' from the accession of King George I in 1714. This article deals with both princesses of the blood royal and women who become princesses upon marriage.
The use of the title of Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is entirely at the will of the Sovereign. Individuals holding the title of princess are styled Her Royal Highness. Since King George V's Letters Patent of 30 November 1917, the title "Princess" and the use of the style "Royal Highness" has generally been restricted to the following persons:

★ the legitimate daughters of a British Sovereign,

★ the legitimate male line granddaughters of a British Sovereign,

★ the wife of a British prince.
There have been several exceptions to these rules, as explained later in this article.

Contents

Princesses of the blood royal and princesses by marriage

History

Styling of princesses

List of princesses of the blood since 1714

List of princesses by marriage since 1714

Notes

Sources

Princesses of the blood royal and princesses by marriage

Under the current practice, princesses of the blood royal are the legitimate daughters and the legitmate male line granddaughters of a British Sovereign. They are dynasts, that is potential successors to the throne. For these individuals, the title "Princess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" and the style "Her Royal Highness" is an entitlement for life. The title Princess and the style Royal Highness is prefixed to the Christian name, before another title of honour. From 1714 until 1917, the male-line great granddaughters of the Sovereign were titled "Princess of Great Britain and Ireland" with the style "Highness". Since 1917, the male-line great granddaughters of the Sovereign, have held "the style and title enjoyed by the children of dukes". For example, the daughters of the current Duke of Gloucester, a male line grandson of George V, are styled The Lady Davina Lewis and The Lady Rose Windsor.
Princesses by marriage are the recognized wives of the Sovereign's sons and grandsons. Generally, these women are entitled to the style Royal Highness by virtue of marriage. They retain the style during their widowhood. However, Queen Elizabeth II issued Letters Patent dated 21 August 1996 stating that any woman divorced from a Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with the style "Royal Highness" would no longer be entitled to the style "Royal Highness". This has so far applied to HRH The Princess of Wales and HRH The Duchess of York.
Since the passage of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, there have been several instances in which princes of the blood contracted marriages in contravention of that act (which meant they were not legally married) and several instances in which the Sovereign withheld the style "Her Royal Highness" from a prince's wife deemed to be unsuitable. For example, Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, a male-line grandson of King George III, married Sarah Louisa Fairbrother, in contravention of the Royal Marriages Act. Although morganatic marriage did not exist in British law, the duke's wife was never titled the Duchess of Cambridge or accorded the style "Her Royal Highness". Instead, she was known as "Mrs FitzGeorge". Most famously, King George VI issued Letters Patent dated 27 May 1937 that entitled The Duke of Windsor "to hold and enjoy for himself only the title style or attribute of Royal Highness so however that his wife and descendants if any shall not hold the said title style or attribute".
The wife of a prince of the blood takes her husband's Christian name in her title as do all married royal women. For example, upon her marriage to Prince Michael of Kent in 1978, Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz assumed the title and style of "Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent". Similarly, upon her marriage to then Prince Richard of Gloucester, the former Birgitte van Deurs assumed the title and style of "Her Royal Highness Princess Richard of Gloucester".
The situation is slightly different when a woman is married to a prince who happens to be a peer or the Prince of Wales. Upon marriage, the wife of the Prince of Wales becomes "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales". Upon marriage, the wife of a royal duke (or earl) becomes "Her Royal Highness The Duchess (or Countess) of X". When Prince Richard of Gloucester succeeded to his father's dukedom in 1974, his wife became "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester".

History

The use of the titles prince and princess and the styles of Highness and Royal Highness for members of the Royal Family is of fairly recently usage in the British Isles. Before 1714, there was no settled practice regarding the use of the titles prince and princess other than the heir apparent and his wife. From 1301 onward, the eldest sons of the Kings of England (and later Great Britain and the United Kingdom) have generally been created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. Their wives were titled Princess of Wales.
The title Princess Royal came into being in 1642 when Queen Henrietta Maria, the French-born wife of King Charles I, wished to imitate the way the eldest daughter of the French King was styled (''Madame Royale''). However, there was no settled practice on the use of the title princess for the Sovereign's younger daughters or male-line granddaughters. For example, as late as the time of King Charles II, the daughters of his brother James, Duke of York, both of whom became queens regnant, were called simply "The Lady Mary" and "The Lady Anne." The future Queen Anne was styled princess in her marriage treaty to Prince George of Denmark and then styled "Princess Anne of Denmark" once married.
After the accession of George I of Hanover, the princely titles were changed to follow the German practice. The children, grandchildren, and male line great grandchildren of the British Sovereign were automatically titled "Prince or Princess of Great Britain and Ireland" and styled "Royal Highness" (in the case of children and grandchildren) or "Highness" (in the case of male line great grandchilren). Queen Victoria confirmed this practice in Letters Patent dated 30 January 1864 (the first Act of the Prerogative dealing with the princely title in general terms).

Styling of princesses

★ Daughters of sovereigns- HRH The Princess "X"

★ Granddaughters of sovereigns- HRH Princess "X" of "Y", where "Y" is the territorial designation of their father’s peerages, eg HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent.

★ Wife of a son of the Sovereign or male line grandson of the Sovereign- "HRH Princess Husband" (if her husband is not a peer of the realm) or "HRH The Duchess/Countess of X." (otherwise)

★ Wife of a male-line grandson of the Sovereign- "HRH Princess Husband of Y" (if her husband is not a peer of the realm) or "HRH The Duchess/Countess of X." (otherwise)

★ A Princess Royal is normally styled HRH The Princess Royal.
When a princess marries, she still takes on her husband's title. If the title is higher than the one she possesses, she will normally be styled using the female equivalent. If her husband has a peerage, she may well be styled, HRH Princess X, and then the female equivalent of the peerage, for example HRH The Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll or HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone.

List of princesses of the blood since 1714

Princess	Birth	Death	Lineage	Comments
Princess Sophia of Hanover	1687	1757	Daughter of George I	Gained title in 1714 upon accession of her father as King George I. Queen-consort of Prussia 1713–1740.
Princess Anne of Hanover	1709	1759	Daughter of George II	Gained title in 1714 upon accession of her grandfather as King George I.
The Princess Amelia Sophia	1711	1746	Daughter of George II	Gained title in 1714 upon accession of her grandfather as King George I
The Princess Caroline Elizabeth	1713	1757	Daughter of George II	Gained title in 1714 upon accession of her grandfather as King George I
The Princess Mary	1723	1772	Daughter of George II	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Louise	1724	1751	Daughter of George II	Title held from her birth to death. Queen of Denmark 1746-1751.
Princess Augusta Charlotte of Wales	1737	1813	Daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales	Title held from her birth to death. Duchess of Brunswick 1780–1806.
Princess Elizabeth Caroline of Wales	1740	1759	Daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Louisa Anne of Wales	1749	1768	Daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Caroline Matilda of Wales	1751	1775	Daughter of Frederick, Prince of Wales	Title held from her birth to death. Queen of Denmark 1767–1772
The Princess Charlotte, Princess Royal	1766	1828	Daughter of George III	Title held from her birth to death. Queen of Württemberg 1806–1816.
Princess Augusta Sophia	1768	1840	Daughter of George III	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Elizabeth	1770	1840	Daughter of George III	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Sophia of Gloucester	1773	1834	Great granddaughter of George II	Title held from her birth to death, granted style of "Royal Highness" in 1816
Princess Caroline of Gloucester	1774	1775	Great granddaughter of King George II, daughter of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Mary	1776	1857	Daughter of George III	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Sophia	1777	1848	Daughter of George III	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Amelia	1783	1810	Daughter of George III	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales	1796	1817	Daughter of George IV	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Charlotte of Clarence	1819	1819	Daughter of Prince William, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV)	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Victoria of Kent	1819	1901	Granddaughter of George III, succeeded as Queen Victoria, reigned 1837–1901.	Title held until her assession as Queen Victoria
Princess Elizabeth of Clarence	1820	1821	Daughter of Prince William, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV)	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Augusta of Cambridge	1822	1916	Granddaughter of George III	Title held from her birth to death. Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 1860–1904
Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge	1833	1897	Granddaughter of George III, mother of Queen Mary	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Victoria, Princess Royal	1840	1901	Daughter of Queen Victoria, mother of Wilhelm II of Germany	Title held from her birth to death. German Empress 1888.
The Princess Alice	1843	1878	Daughter of Queen Victoria	Title held from her birth to death. Grand Duchess of Hesse 1877–1878.
The Princess Helena	1846	1923	Daughter of Queen Victoria	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Frederica of Hanover	1848	1926	Great granddaughter of George III, daughter of George V of Hanover	Title from birth until 1917
The Princess Louise	1848	1939	Daughter of Queen Victoria	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Marie of Hanover	1849	1904	Great granddaughter of George III, daughter of George V of Hanover	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Beatrice	1857	1944	Daughter of Queen Victoria	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Louise, Princess Royal	1867	1931	Daughter of Edward VII	Title held from her birth to death
The Princess Victoria	1868	1935	Daughter of Edward VII	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Maud of Wales	1869	1938	Daughter of Edward VII	Title held from her birth to death. Queen of Norway 1905–1938.
Princess Marie of Edinburgh	1875	1938	Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh	Title held from her birth to death. Queen of Romania 1914–1927.
Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh	1876	1936	Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh	Title held from her birth to death. Grand Duchess of Hesse 18947–1901
Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh	1878	1942	Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Marie Louise of Hanover	1879	1948	Great-great grandaughter of King George III, daughter of Ernst August, 3rd Duke of Cumberland.
Princess Margaret of Connaught	1882	1920	Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Alexandra of Hanover	1882	1963	Great-great granddaughter of King George III, daughter of Ernst August, 3rd Duke of Cumberland.
Princess Alice of Albany	1883	1981	Granddaughter of Victoria, daughter of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh	1884	1966	Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Olga of Hanover	1884	1958	Great-great granddaughter of King George III, daughter of Ernst August II of Hanover.
Princess Patricia of Connaught	1886	1974	Granddaughter of Queen Victoria	Title held from her birth until 1919 when she relinquished her title and style upon marriage
Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife	1891	1959	Granddaughter of Edward VII, daughter of Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife	Title granted by Royal Warrant in 1905
Princess Maud of Fife	1893	1945	Granddaughter of Edward VII, daughter of Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife	Title granted by Royal Warrant in 1905, ceased to use title after her marriage in 1923 although it was never formally relinquished
The Princess Mary, Princess Royal	1897	1965	Daughter of George V	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Sibylla of Albany	1907	1972	Great granddaughter of Victoria, daughter of Prince Charles Edward, 2nd Duke of Albany	Title held from her birth until 1917
Princess Caroline Mathilde of Albany	1912	1983	Great granddaughter of Victoria, daughter of Prince Charles Edward, 2nd Duke of Albany	Title held from her birth until 1917
Princess Fredrica of Hanover and Brunswick-Luneburg	1917	1981	Great great great granddaughter of George III, daughter of Prince Ernst August (III) of Cumberland and Hanover, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg	Title held under Royal Warrant from her birth until 1917
The Princess Elizabeth	1926		Daughter of George VI	Title held from her birth until her succession in 1952 as Queen Elizabeth II
The Princess Margaret	1930	2002	Daughter of George VI	Title held from her birth to death
Princess Alexandra of Kent	1936		Granddaughter of George V, daughter of Prince George, Duke of Kent	Title held from birth
Anne, Princess Royal	1950		Daughter of Elizabeth II	Title held from birth
Princess Beatrice of York	1988		Granddaughter of Elizabeth II, daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York	Title held from birth
Princess Eugenie of York	1990		Granddaughter of Elizabeth II, daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York	Title held from birth
Lady Louise Windsor	2003		Granddaughter of Elizabeth II, daughter of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex	Title may or may not have been held from birth (see notes on her style)

List of princesses by marriage since 1714

Princess	Birth	Death	Husband	Comments
Caroline of Ansbach	1683	1737	George, Prince of Wales	Gained title by accession of her father-in-law as George in 1714 and held it until her husband's accession as 1727, when she became Queen-consort
Augusta of Saxe-Gotha	1719	1772	Frederick, Prince of Wales	Gained title by her marriage in 1736 and held it until her death.
Maria Walpole	1736	1807	Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh	Gained title by her second marriage in 1766 and held it until her death.
Anne Horton	1742	1808	Prince Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn	Gained title by her second marriage in 1771 and held it until her death.
Frederica Charlotte of Prussia	1767	1820	Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany	Gained title by her marriage in 1791 and held it until her death.
Caroline of Brunswick	1768	1821	George, Prince of Wales	Gained title by her marriage in 1795 and held it until her husband's accession as George IV in 1820.
Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz	1778	1841	King Ernest Augustus of Hanover	Gained title by her third marriage in 1815 and held it until her death.
Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld	1786	1861	Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn	Gained title by her second marriage in 1818 and held it until her death.
Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen	1792	1849	Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews	Gained title by her marriage in 1818 and held it until her husband's accession as William IV in 1830.
Augusta of Hesse-Kassel	1797	1889	Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge	Gained title by her marriage in 1818 and held it until her death.
Marie of Saxe-Altenburg	1818	1907	King George V of Hanover	Gained title by her marriage in 1843 and held it until her death.
Alexandra of Denmark	1844	1925	Albert Edward, Prince of Wales	Gained title by her marriage in 1863 and held it until her husband's accession as Edward VII in 1901.
Thyra of Denmark	1853	1933	Prince Ernest Augustus, 3rd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale	Gained title by her marriage in 1878 and held it until 1917
Maria of Russia	1853	1920	Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh	Gained title by her marriage in 1874 and held it until her death.
Louise Margaret of Prussia	1860	1917	Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn	Gained title by her marriage in 1879 and held it until her death.
Helena of Waldeck	1861	1922	Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany	Gained title by her marriage in 1882 and held it until her death.
Mary of Teck	1867	1953	George, Prince of Wales	Gained title by her marriage in 1893 and held it until her husband's accession as George V in 1910.
Victoria Adelaide of Schleswig-Holstein	1885	1970	Prince Charles Edward, Duke of Albany	Gained title by her marriage in 1905 and held it until her death.
Viktoria Luise of Prussia	1892	1980	Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick	Gained title by her marriage in 1913 and held it until 1917. It should be noted that Princess Viktoria Luise was already a Royal Highness. She was born Princess of Prussia being the only daughter of the German Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Wallis Simpson - never a British Royal Highness - the title was specifically denied her by Letters Patent issued by King George VI.	1895	1986	Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor	See notes
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon	1900	2002	Prince Albert, Duke of York	Gained title by her marriage in 1920 and held it until her husband's accession as George VI in 1936.
Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott	1901	2004	Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester	Gained title by her marriage in 1935 and held it until her death. She was later granted special permission to style herself as a princess ''suo jure''.
Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark	1906	1968	Prince George, Duke of Kent	Gained title by her marriage in 1934 and held it until her death.
Katharine Worsley	1933		Prince Edward, Duke of Kent	Gained title by her marriage in 1961
Marie-Christine Freiin von Reibnitz	1945		Prince Michael of Kent	Gained title by her second marriage in 1978
Birgitte van Deurs	1946		Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester	Gained title by her marriage in 1972
Camilla Shand	1947		Charles, Prince of Wales	Gained title by her second marriage in 2005. Although she is legally 'The Princess Charles, Princess of Wales', she uses the subsidiary style 'Duchess of Cornwall'
Sarah Ferguson	1959		Prince Andrew, Duke of York	Gained title by her marriage in 1986 and held it until her divorce in 1996.
Diana Spencer	1961	1997	Charles, Prince of Wales	Gained title by her marriage in 1981 and held it until her divorce in 1996
Sophie Rhys-Jones	1965		Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex	Gained title by her marriage in 1999.

Notes

The following women married a Royal Prince but as their marriages were invalid under the Royal Marriages Act 1772, they did not become Princesses:

★ Maria Anne Fitzherbert, married George, Prince of Wales in 1785

★ Lady Augusta Murray, married Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex in 1793

★ Lady Cecilia Buggin, married Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex. She was later created Duchess of Inverness.

★ Sarah Louisa Fairbrother, married Prince George, Duke of Cambridge in 1847
In addition, the status of Wallis Simpson as a princess is questionable. She married the Duke of Windsor in 1937. Although he was a British prince with the style ''His Royal Highness'', King George VI passed letters patent which denied the style HRH to any wife of the Duke and also to his descendants. It is not clear if this would have denied the title of Princess to Wallis, although as her husband had a peerage, she was always styled as ''Duchess of Windsor''.

Sources