List of title and honours of the Spanish Crown facts for kids
The Crown of Spain (from 1516 until today) is a collection of special titles and honors. These are given to the person who is the reigning monarch (king or queen) of Spain. At its strongest, the Spanish Empire was one of the most powerful empires in the world.
Spain's kingdom was formed from two main parts: the Crown of Castile and the Crown of Aragon. These two important kingdoms joined together when Queen Isabella I married King Ferdinand II. Their daughter, Joanna of Castile, inherited both crowns. For a while, the Spanish Empire was also linked to the Habsburg Empire, which was a very large European family. Today, the King of Spain is Felipe VI. He holds the main title of "King of Spain."
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What is the Crown of Spain?
The Crown of Spain is more than just a fancy hat. It represents all the lands, titles, and power that belong to the Spanish monarch. Over centuries, Spanish kings and queens gathered many different territories. Each territory often came with its own special title, like "King of this place" or "Duke of that place."
Important Kingdoms and Territories
The Spanish Crown ruled over many different kingdoms and lands. Here are some of the most important ones that made up the core of Spain:
The Spanish Empire also included vast lands outside of Europe. These included territories in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. For example, the "Kingdom of the Spanish East Indies" referred to lands in Asia.
Other Titles Held by the Monarch
Kings and queens of Spain held many other titles besides "King." These titles showed their rule over different types of lands.
- Princes: Some areas were called principalities, and the ruler was a prince. An example is the Prince of Catalonia.
- Dukes: Other lands were called duchies, ruled by a duke. The Duke of Milan was one such title.
- Counts: Smaller areas were known as counties, led by a count. The Count of Barcelona is an example.
- Lords: Some places were called lordships, ruled by a lord. The Lord of Biscay was one of these.
These many titles showed how powerful and widespread the Spanish Crown's influence was.
Special Honors and Orders
The King of Spain also holds important positions in various knightly orders. These are groups of people who have been given special honors for their service. The King is usually the "Grand Master" of these orders, meaning he is their leader.
- Sovereign Grand Master of the Celebrated Order of the Golden Fleece
- Grand Master of the Royal & Distinguished Order of Charles III
- Grand Master of the Royal Order of Isabel, the Catholic
- Grand Master of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Ferdinand
- Grand Master of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild
- Grand Master of the Order of Montesa
- Grand Master of the Order of Alcántara
- Grand Master of the Order of Calatrava
- Grand Master of the Order of Santiago
Titles of the Heir to the Throne
The person who is next in line to become king or queen is called the "heir apparent." In Spain, the heir to the throne has special titles of their own. These titles are usually given to the eldest child of the monarch.
- Prince of Asturias (This is the most important title for the heir)
- Prince of Viana
- Prince of Girona
- Duke of Montblanc
- Count of Cervera
- Lord of Balaguer
These titles show the different parts of Spain that the future monarch will one day rule.
