Duke vs. Prince — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
Duke is a nobleman of the highest hereditary rank below the monarch. Prince is a male member of a royal family, especially a son or grandson of the king or queen.
Difference Between Duke and Prince
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A Duke is a title of nobility, often hereditary, that represents one of the highest ranks in the peerage system, typically below that of a monarch but above other nobles. A Prince, on the other hand, primarily denotes a male member of a royal family and might be directly in line for the throne.
The title of Duke originated in the Middle Ages, symbolizing rulers of large territories or provinces. While the importance of a Duke may vary among countries, it's a significant title in many European monarchies. Contrarily, a Prince often has a closer relation to the reigning monarch, either as a son, grandson, or other close relative.
In terms of responsibilities, a Duke might govern a duchy and hold certain rights or privileges in his domain. Historically, some dukes even held power equivalent to monarchs. In contrast, a Prince might not have any administrative responsibilities unless appointed, but their role in representing the royal family in official duties is paramount.
The influence and importance of a Duke can vary based on the specific monarchy's structure. In some instances, the title is purely ceremonial. A Prince, by virtue of being part of the royal family, usually has a consistent level of prominence and relevance in state matters.
Titles can sometimes merge. For example, a Prince might also be given the title of a Duke. This practice is common in the British royal family, where a Prince may be bestowed a dukedom upon marriage. However, while all princes might become dukes, not all dukes are princes.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A nobleman ranked below the monarch.
A male member of a royal family.
Origin of Title
Middle Ages as rulers of territories.
Common to many cultures denoting royal lineage.
Typical Role
Govern a duchy or region.
Represent the royal family in official duties.
Relation to Monarch
Noble, not directly related.
Often a son, grandson, or close relative.
Can They Have Dual Titles?
Yes, but not necessarily royal titles.
Yes, can be both a prince and a duke.
Compare with Definitions
Duke
A ruler of a small independent state
The Duke protected his lands fiercely.
Prince
A son of a monarch
The Prince is next in line for the throne.
Duke
A title given in some European countries
The Duke of Orleans is well-known.
Prince
A general term for a male member of a royal or noble family
Many waited to greet the Prince.
Duke
A reference to someone superior in a specific field
He was the Duke of the jazz world.
Prince
A title given to members of some royal families
The Prince of Wales is a significant title.
Duke
Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, and grand dukes.
Prince
A male ruler of a small state or territory
The Prince of Monaco attended the meeting.
Duke
A nobleman with the highest hereditary rank, especially a man of the highest grade of the peerage in Great Britain.
Prince
A person or thing regarded as the best example of its kind
He was a Prince among men.
Duke
A sovereign prince who rules an independent duchy in some European countries.
Prince
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. Prince is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states.
Duke
Used as the title for such a nobleman.
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the monarch, especially a son of the monarch.
Duke
Dukes(Slang) The fists
Put up your dukes!.
Prince
A man who is a ruler of a principality.
Duke
(Botany) A type of cherry intermediate between a sweet and a sour cherry.
Prince
A hereditary male ruler; a king.
Duke
To fight, especially with fists
Duking it out.
Prince
A nobleman of varying status or rank.
Duke
The male ruler of a duchy (female equivalent: duchess).
Prince
An outstanding man, especially in a particular group or class
A merchant prince.
Duke
The sovereign of a small state.
Prince
A (male) ruler, a sovereign; a king, monarch.
Duke
A high title of nobility; the male holder of a dukedom.
Prince
(obsolete) A female monarch.
Duke
A grand duke.
Prince
Someone who is preeminent in their field; a great person.
He is a prince among men.
Duke
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genera Bassarona and Dophla.
Prince
The (male) ruler or head of a principality.
Duke
A fist.
Put up your dukes!
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the ruler; especially (in the United Kingdom) the son or grandson of the monarch.
Duke
To hit or beat with the fists.
Prince
A non-royal high title of nobility, especially in France and the Holy Roman Empire.
Prince Louis de Broglie won the 1929 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Duke
To give cash to; to give a tip to.
I duked him twenty dollars.
Prince
The mushroom Agaricus augustus.
Duke
A leader; a chief; a prince.
Hannibal, duke of Carthage.
All were dukes once, who were "duces" - captains or leaders of their people.
Prince
A type of court card used in tarot cards, the equivalent of the jack.
Duke
In England, one of the highest order of nobility after princes and princesses of the royal blood and the four archbishops of England and Ireland.
Prince
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Rohana.
Duke
In some European countries, a sovereign prince, without the title of king.
Prince
The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and authority; a sovereign; a monarch; - originally applied to either sex, but now rarely applied to a female.
Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince.
Queen Elizabeth, a prince admirable above her sex.
Duke
The fists; as, put up your dukes.
Prince
The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal family; as, princes of the blood.
Duke
To play the duke.
Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence.
Prince
A title belonging to persons of high rank, differing in different countries. In England it belongs to dukes, marquises, and earls, but is given to members of the royal family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is always one of the royal family.
Duke
To beat with the fists.
Prince
The chief of any body of men; one at the head of a class or profession; one who is preëminent; as, a merchant prince; a prince of players.
Duke
A British peer of the highest rank
Prince
To play the prince.
Duke
A nobleman (in various countries) of high rank
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
Duke
A male holding the highest hereditary title below a monarch
The Duke of Edinburgh attended the event.
Duke
A high-ranking official in certain republics
The Duke oversaw the ceremony.
Common Curiosities
Can a Duke become king?
Not by virtue of being a Duke; however, if the Duke is also a Prince in the line of succession, he might.
Is a Prince always related to the reigning monarch?
Typically, yes. A Prince is often a son, grandson, or close relative of the monarch.
Is a Prince always of higher rank than a Duke?
In terms of royalty, yes. But a Duke holds significant nobility rank on his own.
Can a woman hold the title of Duke?
Traditionally, the female equivalent is "Duchess," but a woman may inherit a dukedom in certain circumstances.
How does one become a Prince?
Typically by birth, being a male member of the royal family, or through marriage in some cases.
How is a Duke addressed?
Typically, "Your Grace" or "Duke of [Place]."
Can a Prince also be a Duke?
Yes, in many monarchies, especially in Britain, princes often receive dukedoms.
What's the difference between a Duke and an Archduke?
An Archduke is a title of higher nobility than a Duke, primarily used in certain European countries.
Do Dukes live in duchies?
Historically, yes. Today, while they might still own lands or estates, they don't necessarily govern a duchy.
Do all countries with monarchies have the title of Duke?
No, the title and its significance vary among monarchies.
Do Dukes and Princes have real power today?
It varies. In constitutional monarchies, their roles are often more ceremonial, while in others, they may hold more power.
Can the title of Prince exist in non-monarchical countries?
Historically, yes. Some regions might have local "princes," but they don't belong to a royal lineage of a reigning monarch.
Is there a female equivalent to a Prince?
Yes, it's "Princess."
Is a Prince always younger than the king or queen?
Not necessarily. While a Prince is often a son or grandson, he might be older than a monarch, especially if the monarch ascends the throne at a young age.
What are the responsibilities of a Prince?
It varies, but often includes representing the royal family in official duties and sometimes undertaking charitable or diplomatic work.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
