Knight vs. Prince — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 3, 2024
Knight refers to a warrior of noble status, while prince is a male royal, often the son of a king or queen.
Difference Between Knight and Prince
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A knight is traditionally a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a monarch or other political leader for service to the monarch or country, especially in a military capacity. Knights are often seen as valiant warriors who follow a code of chivalry. On the other hand, a prince is a male member of a royal family, especially the son of the monarch. While princes might receive military training and hold command positions, their role is more about lineage and succession to the throne than martial prowess.
Knights typically earn their title through acts of valor or service, making knighthood an achievable status for those not born into nobility. In contrast, princehood is a birthright for males in a royal family, signifying a direct or close lineage to the reigning monarch. This fundamental difference highlights the merit-based versus hereditary nature of becoming a knight or prince, respectively.
In medieval societies, knights played crucial roles in warfare, serving as heavily armored cavalrymen. While princes also often participated in battles, their involvement was usually part of their broader duties as royal heirs, including governance and diplomatic responsibilities. The distinction emphasizes the knight's primary function as a warrior versus the prince's broader role within the monarchy.
Knights are romanticized for their bravery, honor, and chivalry, embodied in tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Princes, while also featured prominently in folklore and fairy tales, are often portrayed in roles that emphasize their nobility, leadership, and potential as rulers. This cultural representation reflects the differing societal expectations and ideals associated with each title.
In modern times, the title of knight has become largely ceremonial in many countries, awarded for various forms of public service and achievements beyond the military. Meanwhile, princes continue to hold significant positions within royal families, with their roles evolving to meet contemporary expectations, including public service, charitable work, and representing their countries on the global stage.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A warrior granted knighthood for service or valor.
A male member of a royal family, often a monarch's son.
Origin
Merit-based, through acts of valor or service.
Hereditary, based on birthright within a royal family.
Primary Role
Military service and chivalry.
Succession, governance, and diplomatic representation.
Historical Role
Heavily armored cavalryman in medieval warfare.
Royal heir with varied duties, including military roles.
Cultural Image
Romanticized for bravery and honor.
Often seen as noble, with leadership and ruling potential.
Compare with Definitions
Knight
Earned Title.
Through acts of valor and dedication, he was bestowed the title of knight by the king.
Prince
Modern Royal Role.
In modern times, princes engage in charitable work and public service, reflecting contemporary royal duties.
Knight
Warrior Status.
The knight was honored for his bravery in battle and unwavering commitment to the code of chivalry.
Prince
Hereditary Title.
Born into the royal family, his status as a prince was determined from birth.
Knight
Chivalry and Honor.
Knights are renowned for their adherence to the chivalric code, including bravery, courtesy, and honor.
Prince
Leadership Potential.
Princes are often prepared from a young age for leadership and governance roles.
Knight
Medieval Military Role.
As a knight, his role in the king's army was crucial, leading charges and defending the realm.
Prince
Royal Family Member.
As a prince, he stands in line for the throne, carrying the responsibilities of royal lineage.
Knight
A man holding a nonhereditary title conferred by a sovereign in recognition of personal merit or service to the country.
Prince
Diplomatic Duties.
The prince represented his country at international events, showcasing his diplomatic skills.
Knight
Ceremonial Recognition.
Today, knighthood is often a ceremonial title awarded for contributions to society or the nation.
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.
Knight
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity.Knighthood finds origins in the Greek hippeis and hoplite (ἱππεῖς) and Roman eques and centurion of classical antiquity.In the Early Middle Ages in Europe, knighthood was conferred upon mounted warriors. During the High Middle Ages, knighthood was considered a class of lower nobility.
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the monarch, especially a son of the monarch.
Knight
A medieval tenant giving military service as a mounted man-at-arms to a feudal landholder.
Prince
A man who is a ruler of a principality.
Knight
A medieval gentleman-soldier, usually high-born, raised by a sovereign to privileged military status after training as a page and squire.
Prince
A hereditary male ruler; a king.
Knight
A man belonging to an order or brotherhood.
Prince
A nobleman of varying status or rank.
Knight
A defender, champion, or zealous upholder of a cause or principle.
Prince
An outstanding man, especially in a particular group or class
A merchant prince.
Knight
The devoted champion of a lady.
Prince
A (male) ruler, a sovereign; a king, monarch.
Knight
Abbr. Kt or N(Games) A chess piece, usually in the shape of a horse's head, that can be moved two squares along a rank and one along a file or two squares along a file and one along a rank. The knight is the only piece that can jump other pieces to land on an open square.
Prince
(obsolete) A female monarch.
Knight
To raise (a person) to knighthood.
Prince
Someone who is preeminent in their field; a great person.
He is a prince among men.
Knight
(historical) A young servant or follower; a trained military attendant in service of a lord.
Prince
The (male) ruler or head of a principality.
Knight
(historical) A minor nobleman with an honourable military rank who had served as a page and squire.
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the ruler; especially (in the United Kingdom) the son or grandson of the monarch.
Knight
(by extension) An armored and mounted warrior of the Middle Ages.
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
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.
Knight
A person obliged to provide knight service in exchange for maintenance of an estate held in knight's fee.
Prince
The mushroom Agaricus augustus.
Knight
(modern) A person on whom a knighthood has been conferred by a monarch.
Prince
A type of court card used in tarot cards, the equivalent of the jack.
Knight
(literary) A brave, chivalrous and honorable man devoted to a noble cause or love interest.
Prince
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Rohana.
Knight
(chess) A chess piece, often in the shape of a horse's head, that is moved two squares in one direction and one at right angles to that direction in a single move, leaping over any intervening pieces.
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.
Knight
A playing card bearing the figure of a knight; the knave or jack.
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.
Knight
(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Ypthima.
Prince
To play the prince.
Knight
(modern) Any mushroom belonging to genus Tricholoma.
Prince
A male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
Knight
(transitive) To confer knighthood upon.
The king knighted the young squire.
Knight
To promote (a pawn) to a knight.
Knight
A young servant or follower; a military attendant.
Knight
In feudal times, a man-at-arms serving on horseback and admitted to a certain military rank with special ceremonies, including an oath to protect the distressed, maintain the right, and live a stainless life.
Knights, by their oaths, should right poor ladies' harms.
Knight
A piece used in the game of chess, usually bearing a horse's head.
Knight
A playing card bearing the figure of a knight; the knave or jack.
Knight
To dub or create (one) a knight; - done in England by the sovereign only, who taps the kneeling candidate with a sword, saying: Rise, Sir --.
A soldier, by the honor-giving handOf CŒur-de-Lion knighted in the field.
Knight
Originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
Knight
A chessman in the shape of a horse's head; can move two squares horizontally and one vertically (or vice versa)
Knight
Raise (someone) to knighthood;
The Beatles were knighted
Common Curiosities
Do princes always have a role in the military?
While not always, princes often receive military training and may hold ceremonial or actual military positions.
Can a prince become a knight?
Yes, princes can be knighted, recognizing their service or valor, separate from their royal birthright.
What is the main difference between a knight and a prince?
A knight is a titled warrior known for military service, whereas a prince is a male royal by birth.
What does the chivalric code entail?
The chivalric code emphasizes virtues like bravery, courtesy, honor, and protecting the weak.
Was knighthood restricted to the nobility?
Initially, knights were typically of noble birth, but over time, knighthood became achievable by commoners for exceptional service.
Are all princes in line for the throne?
Most princes are in the line of succession, but their specific place can vary greatly depending on the royal family's rules.
What signifies a knight in today’s society?
Today, knighthood is a symbolic title recognizing significant contributions to society, culture, or the nation, without the military connotations.
What are some common misconceptions about knights and princes?
Common misconceptions include knights being of high noble status by birth and princes having no responsibilities beyond their royal status.
Is knighthood always hereditary?
No, knighthood is typically earned through merit, not passed down by birth.
How has the role of knights changed over time?
Historically vital in warfare, knighthood has largely become a ceremonial title awarded for various forms of service in modern times.
How do modern princes contribute to society?
Modern princes often engage in public service, charitable activities, and represent their countries in diplomatic matters.
How do knights and princes differ in terms of responsibilities?
Knights were primarily focused on military duties and following the chivalric code, while princes have broader responsibilities including governance and succession.
What role do knights and princes play in literature and media?
They are often romanticized; knights as valiant heroes, and princes as noble figures destined for leadership or heroism.
How are princes prepared for their future roles?
Princes undergo extensive education, including military training, studies in governance, law, and international relations to prepare for their roles.
Can the titles of knight and prince coexist?
Yes, it's possible for a prince to also be knighted, allowing the coexistence of both titles to honor different aspects of their roles or achievements.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Signore vs. Signor
Next Comparison
Lodestone vs. MagnetAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
