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"Crown princess" redirects here. For ships, see Crown Princess (ship).
"Kronprinz" redirects here. For the Imperial German Navy battleship, see SMS Kronprinz.
Crowd awaiting Crown Prince Tokyo Dec1916
Throngs before the Imperial Palace in Japan awaiting the appearance of Crown Prince Hirohito for the proclamation of his official recognition as the heir apparent to the Japanese Imperial Throne in 1916.

A crown prince or hereditary prince is the person who is next in line to become the ruler (king, queen, or emperor) in a country with a monarchy. This person is known as the heir apparent.

The female version of this title is crown princess. This can mean either a female who is next in line to the throne, or it can refer to the wife of a crown prince. In the past, it was more common for "crown princess" to mean the wife of the crown prince.

The term crown prince describes the prince who is expected to become the next ruler. However, some monarchies use a special, older title instead. For example, the heir to the throne in the United Kingdom is called the Prince of Wales. In Spain, the heir is called the Prince of Asturias. In old France, the heir was called the Dauphin. In these countries, the term "crown prince" might not be used as often.

Until recently, most monarchies did not allow females to automatically become the ruler. This meant that a crown princess was usually the wife of the crown prince. She would be called "crown princess" out of respect, not because she was next in line to the throne herself. Today, many countries have changed their rules so that the eldest child, whether male or female, can inherit the throne.

What is a Crown Prince?

The term crown prince is usually used for heirs to kings, queens, or emperors. It is not typically used for heirs to rulers with lower titles, like a grand duke or prince, though it can sometimes be used to mean any heir.

In Europe, most monarchies follow a rule called primogeniture. This means the eldest child of the current ruler is usually next in line. Historically, this often meant the eldest son. However, countries like Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom now allow the eldest child, regardless of gender, to inherit the throne.

Sometimes, the eldest living child is not the crown prince. This can happen if an older child has passed away, but their own child (the monarch's grandchild) takes their place in the line of succession. For example, Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden was the crown prince of Sweden from 1950 to 1973, even though his uncles were older. He was the eldest grandson of the king by male primogeniture.

In some monarchies, especially in the Middle East, being a crown prince is not always based on birth order. A person might be chosen for the role based on other traditions or laws. They can also lose this title, as happened with former crown prince Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan.

It's important to know the difference between an heir apparent and an heir presumptive. An heir apparent is someone who cannot be replaced in the line of succession by a new birth. An heir presumptive can be replaced if someone with a stronger claim (like a new child of the monarch) is born.

In some places, like Liechtenstein and Monaco, the heir apparent is called a "hereditary prince." In Luxembourg, the heir is called a "hereditary grand duke."

Special Titles for Heirs

Many monarchies have used special, traditional titles for their heirs. These titles often have a long history. Here are some examples:

Some titles were given to heirs but were not automatically passed down. They needed to be specifically granted by the ruler. Examples include:

Current Crown Princes and Princesses

2023 Majlis Ramah Mesra Belait 105
Al-Muhtadee Billah of Brunei, who holds the title of Pengiran Muda Mahkota (Crown Prince).

Here are some of the countries that currently use the title "crown prince" or "crown princess" for their heirs:

Some heirs to monarchies that no longer exist still use the title of Crown Prince out of international courtesy. These include:

Other Traditions for Heirs

Different cultures have their own special names for the heir to the throne.

In Islamic tradition, the title is often Wali al-Ahd. In Persia (Iran), the full title was Vala Hazrat-i-Humayun Vali Ahd, Shahzada, meaning "His August Imperial Highness the Heir Apparent, Prince...".

In Hindu tradition, especially in India and Nepal, the heir was often called Yuvaraja. For example, in Jammu and Kashmir, the heir was called Maharaj Kumar Shri Yuvaraj. In Nepal, the heir was called Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Yuvarajadhiraj ('Young King of Kings').

East Asian traditions also have specific names for imperial heirs:

If the heir is a: Son Grandson
Chinese Huang Taizi Huang Taisun
Japanese Kōtaishi Kōtaison
Korean Hwangtaeja (황태자) Hwangtaeson (황태손)
Vietnamese Hoàng Thái Tử Hoàng Thái Tôn

The crown prince of an emperor was sometimes called Dong-gong (東宮, 'East Palace'). This was because of where his home was located in relation to the main palace. The crown prince was not always the first-born son.

In Southeast Asian traditions, titles include:

  • Siam Makutrajakuman in Thailand (since 1886).
  • Raja Muda or Tengku Mahkota in the Malay sultanates of Malaysia.
  • Pengiran Muda Mahkota in Brunei.

See also

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