The title of Prince in the context of the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia, United Roman-Ruthenian Church, is a title of nobility that comes in several forms. Princes rank above noble dukes and may themselves be dukes or hold higher titles. The general forms of prince, from highest to lowest, are:
Pontifical and Imperial Grand Dukes/Duchesses (Pontifical and Imperial Highness)
Pontifical and Imperial Princes/Princesses (Pontifical and Imperial Highness)
Imperial & Royal Grand Dukes/Duchesses (Most Eminent Imperial and Royal Highness)
Imperial & Royal Princes/Princesses (Imperial and Royal Highness)
Royal Princes/Princesses (Royal Highness)
Serene Princes/Princesses (Serene Highness)
The senior-most princes are the Prince-Bishop and Apostolic Princess of Rome-Ruthenia.
The title derives from the Latin word "princeps," meaning "the one who takes the first place/position". It became the usual title for the informal leader of the Roman senate, the "princeps senatus," several centuries before the transition to empire. Emperor Augustus established the formal position of the imperial sovereign based on the "principate," not dominion. (It is for this reason that prince remains one of the principal (rather than merely subsidiary) titles of the Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia.) Augustus also granted his grandsons the title of "princeps" when they served as summer rulers of the city while the government was on holiday or attending religious rituals. establishing the precedent for the title to be used by other members of a sovereign family.
Now the title "prince" has various meanings. Generically, it refers to a sovereign, to a member of a ruling family, or to non-reigning descendants. It is also used as a title of personal rank granted to specific individuals by monarchs, dynasties, or the Church.
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Pontifical Imperial State
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