In the United Kingdom, the title of prince is limited to the sons and patrilineal grandsons of the monarch—except, of course, where HM has, essentially, granted the title early to the grandchildren of the Prince of Wales.
Is there a Belgian equivalent? Would the children of Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric be Princes and Princesses of Belgium, or just de Belgique / van België / von Belgien?
It appears that since 1831 there has not yet been a legitimate male-line great-grandson of a king of the Belgians whose grandfather did not become king. So precedent is no guide. Does anyone know the law?
Thanks!
The grandchildren of Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent are/will not be Princes or Princesses of Belgium. However, (at least) their legitimate male line grandchildren in the line of succession will be Princes and Princesses (but will not use the surname de Belgique / van België / von Belgien).
Here is the decree that has governed the title of Princess/Prince of Belgium since November 12, 2015.
In Dutch -
Moniteur Belge - Belgisch Staatsblad
In French -
Moniteur Belge - Belgisch Staatsblad
Translation:
Article 1. In the public and private acts relating to them, the Princes and the Princesses, children and grandchildren, born in direct descendance from the King as well as the Princes and the Princesses, children and grandchildren, born in direct descendance from the Crown Prince or the Crown Princess carry the title of Prince or of Princess of Belgium following their first name and, so far as they carry them, their family name and their dynastic title and ahead of the other titles to which their ancestry gives them the right. Their first name is preceded by the predicate His or Her Royal Highness.
Article 2. In the public and private acts relating to them, the Princes and the Princesses, children and grandchildren, born in direct descendance from His Majesty King Albert II carry the title of Prince or of Princess of Belgium following their first name, and, so far as they carry them, their family name and their dynastic title and ahead of the other titles to which their ancestry gives them the right. Their first name is preceded by the predicate His or Her Royal Highness.
Article 3. The Princes and the Princesses who already carry the title of Prince or of Princess of Belgium pursuant to the Royal Decree of 14 March 1891 qualifying the Princes and Princesses born in direct male descendance from His late Majesty Leopold I to be Princes and Princesses of Belgium retain this title following their first name and, so far as they carry it, their family name and before the other titles to which their ancestry gives them the right. Their first name is preceded by the predicate His or Her Royal Highness.
Article 4. The Princes and Princesses, born in direct descendance from His Majesty Leopold, George, Christian, Frederick of Saxe-Coburg, who are not covered by Articles 1 to 3, carry following their first name and, so far as they carry it, their family name, the titles to which their ancestry gives them the right.
As you can see:
a) Articles 1 through 3 establish that the following are automatically Princes(ses) of Belgium:
Princes and Princesses born as children or grandchildren of the King or Crown Prince(ss)
Princes and Princesses born as children or grandchildren of King Albert II
Princes and Princesses who were Princes and Princesses of Belgium under the rules of the royal decree of 1891 (which was in effect until December 15, 1991)
Thus, none of Astrid's and Laurent's grandchildren will be Princes(ses)
of Belgium if neither Astrid nor Laurent succeeds as King/Queen or Crown Prince/ss.
b) Article 4 establishes that "Princes and Princesses" who are not covered by Articles 1-3, but are born as direct descendants of King Leopold I, still carry "the titles to which their ancestry gives them the right". The implication is that some or all of King Leopold I's descendants who are not Princes and Princesses of Belgium will continue to be Princes and Princesses and will carry other ancestral titles.
The Palace has made public that the only grandchild of Astrid (in male line) is officially known as
Princess Anna Astrid. On her birth certificate, she was also registered as a Princess, with the ancestral title Archduchess of Austria-Este.
- Le Soir quoted the exact words of her birth certificate: She was registered in the civil registry as Princess Anna Astrid Marie Archduchess of Austria-Este.
"A la rubrique « nom et prénoms », son acte de naissance porte en effet, comme nous avons pu le voir : « Son Altesse Impériale et Royale
la Princesse Anna Astrid Marie Archiduchesse d'Autriche-Este (Habsbourg-Lorraine) »."
"In the column 'surname and given names', her birth certificate uses, as a matter of fact, as we were able to see it: 'Her Imperial and Royal Highness
Princess Anna Astrid Marie Archduchess of Austria-Este (Habsbourg-Lorraine)'."
http://plus.lesoir.be/53935/article...ur-les-princes-qui-ne-seront-plus-de-belgique
- Letters from the household of Princess Astrid (one in English is pictured in the photograph
here) styled her granddaughter as Princess Anna Astrid.
"Their Royal Highnesses Princess Astrid, Prince Lorenz, Prince Amedeo and Princess Elisabetta thank you for the kind wishes you have sent on the occasion of the first birthday of our little sunshine Princess Anna Astrid.
Jan Matthysen
Ambassador (ret.)
Advisor to Princess Astrid"
- A palace spokesman confirmed that she would enjoy the title of princess.
- The Palace communicated that she was "Princess Anna Astrid" to Le Carnet Mondain, the yearbook of noble and distinguished Belgian families.
"Par contre, la petite Anna Astrid n'a ni titre ni nom dans « Le carnet mondain », étant simplement renseigné comme
« la princesse Anna Astrid » . Preuve de l'existence d'un royal problème ? Sachant, comme le précise le volumineux ouvrage mondain, que « les informations concernant la famille royale de belgique sont reproduites tellse qu'elles nous sont
communiquées par le Palais »."
"In contrast, the small Anna Astrid has neither title nor surname in "Le carnet mondain", being filled out as
"the princess Anna Astrid". Proof of the existence of a royal problem? Knowing the bulky work specifies that "information concerning the royal family of Belgium is reproduced from that which was
communicated to us by the Palace"."
http://plus.lesoir.be/92478/article/2017-05-04/la-famille-royale-sappelle-nouveau-de-saxe-cobourg
- The Palace communicated the same information to Place Royale. (Place Royale uses the term "Officiel" to describe information given from the Palace.)
"OFFICIEL Le bébé du Prince et de la Princesse Amedeo de Belgique est la
Princesse Anna Astrid @MonarchieBe"
"OFFICIAL The baby of Prince and Princess Amedeo of Belgium is
Princess Anna Astrid @MonarchieBe