Wikipedia

Highness

This article is about the dynastic use. For the song by Envy & Other Sins, seeHighness (song).For the song by Simon Townshend, seeAnimal Soup.For the album by Medicine, seeHer Highness (album).

Highness(abbreviationHH,oral addressYour Highness) is a formalstyleused to address (insecond person) or refer to (inthird person) certain members of areigningor formerly reigningdynasty.It is typically used with apossessive adjective:"His Highness", "Her Highness" (HH), "Their Highnesses", etc. Although often combined with other adjectivesof honourindicating rank, such as "Imperial", "Royal" or "Serene", it may be used alone.

Highnessis, both literally and figuratively, the quality of being lofty or above. It is used as a term to evokedignityorhonour,and to acknowledge the exalted rank of the person so described.

History in Europe

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Abstract styles arose in profusion in theRoman Empire,especially in theByzantine.[1]Styles were attached to various offices at court or in the state.[1]In theearly Middle Agessuch styles, couched in the second or third person, were uncertain and much more arbitrary, and were more subject to the fancies of secretaries than in later times.[2][3]

In English usage, the terms Highness,GraceandMajesty,were all used as honorific styles of kings, queens andprinces of the blooduntil the time ofJames I of England.[1]Thus in documents relating to the reign ofHenry VIII of England,all three styles are used indiscriminately; an example is the king's judgment againstDr. Edward Crome(d. 1562), quoted, from theLord Chamberlains' books, ser. I, p. 791, in Trans. Roy. Hist. Soc. N.S. lOX. 299, where article 15 begins withAlso the Kinges Highness hath ordered,16 withKinges Majestie,and 17 withKinges Grace.In the Dedication of the Authorized Version of the Bible of 1611, James I is still styled Majesty and Highness; thus, in the first paragraph: "the appearance of Your Majesty, as of the Sun in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists... especially when we beheld the government established in Your Highness and Your hopeful Seed, by an undoubted title". It was, however, in James I's reign that Majesty became the official style.[3]

Continental Europe

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At the conclusion of theCongress of Viennain 1815,His/Her Highness(abbreviatedHH), became prevalent for reigning dukes and members of their dynasties in Germany (e.g.,Anhalt,Brunswick,Nassau,the threeErnestine duchiesofSaxe-Coburg and Gotha,Saxe-Meiningen,andSaxe-Altenburg,as well asSchleswig-Holstein); forcadetsof some Germangrand ducalhouses (e.g.,Hesse,Mecklenburg-Schwerin,Mecklenburg-Strelitz,Oldenburg,Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach); and cadet members of someimperialorroyalfamilies (e.g.,Bavaria,Denmark,theNetherlands,Norway,Portugal,Prussia,Russia,Yugoslavia). That custom remains official in theDutchand Norwegian dynasties. TheAlmanach de GothaandBurke's Peeragecontinued to ascribeHighnessto members ofdeposed dynastiesof ducal rank.

Among the nobility, theAlmanach de Gothanotes thatHighnesswas accorded to the heads of the families ofMurat(a royal dynasty during theNapoleonicera),Hohenberg,Teckand all members of theHouse of Ligne.

The style was discontinued in theDanish royal familyin 2023, having been applied to junior lines for many generations.[citation needed]

Example of official holders of the styleHighness:

Modified forms

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Usually members of an imperial or royal dynasty are addressed asImperial HighnessorRoyal Highness(FrenchAltesse Impériale, Altesse Royale;GermanKaiserliche Hoheit, Königliche Hoheit;SpanishAlteza Imperial, Alteza Real,etc.) respectively.

Grand Ducal Highnesswas the treatment accorded cadet princes of those families of ruling grand dukes who did not simply use "Highness",viz.Baden.

While "Highness" (Hoheit) was used for rulers of German duchies, the sovereignDukes of Modenaandof Parmawere heads ofcadet branchesof ruling dynasties of higher rank. They and their cadets therefore used the imperial or royal styles borne by members of those houses, respectively the royalHouse of Bourbonand the imperialHouse of Habsburg-Lorraine.

In modern times,Serene Highness(Altesse Sérénissime) is used as the equivalent of the GermanDurchlaucht.In the 17th century, it became the general style borne by the heads of the reigning princely states of the Holy Roman Empire (reichsständische Fürsten), as "Illustrious Highness (Erlaucht) became customary for those of thecomitalhouses (reichsständische Grafen,i.e. Counts of the Empire). In 1825, the Imperial German Diet agreed to grant the styleDurchlauchtto the heads of allmediatizedprincely houses domiciled in Germany elevated to the rank ofFürstare also styled Durchlaucht. In 1829, the style of Erlaucht, which had formerly been borne by the reigning Counts of the empire, was similarly granted to the mediatized countly families (Almanach de Gotha,1909, 107).[3]

His Exalted Highnessis a rare hybrid of the title style Highness. It is used as a salutation styleonlyfor theNizams of HyderabadandBerarconferred by theBritish Government.[6][7]

Commonwealth realms

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Highnesswas the style accorded to princes of theBritish royal familywho were themale-linegreat-grandchildren of a British sovereign (and the wives/widows of great-grandsons), except the eldest son of thePrince of Wales.In 1917,George Vrevoked authorization for use of that style.

The children and grandchildren in the male-line of a British sovereign were and are addressed asRoyal Highness(His or Her Royal Highness, abbreviatedHRH), as are the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales (decree of 31 May 1898).[8]The sovereign has the right as a legalfons honorumto grant or revoke use of the style of Highness, as with other styles, titles and honours.[9]

Colonial use

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Modern Islamic World

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Royal Afghanistan

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In Afghanistan the titleJalalat Mahabis used forSardars,or Princes of the formerMuhammadzai dynasty,who are descendants of the Afghan Emir Payindah Muhammad Khan Barakzai. AlthoughJalalat Mahabis derived from the Arabic termJalalatliterally meaningHis Majesty,it is regarded as equal toHis Highnessinternationally. A legal ground for it is a strengthenedius cogenswithin the Afghan royal family with gateways in the first written constitution of Afghanistan issued byAbdur Rahman Khanin year 1890 and amended byAmanullah Khanin year 1923.[10][11]

Prince Daoud Khan,a member of the Telai cadet branch and Cousin of the last Afghan KingZahir Shah,acting as prime minister under his cousin held the addressJalalat Mahab Aali Qadr Sardari Alaa(EnglishHis Honorable Highness the sublime Prince) during his term asPrime Minister.[12]

After theconstitution of 1964that changed Afghanistan's state system from anabsoluteto aconstitutional monarchy,the descendants ofKing Nadir Shahheld the exclusive address asAlaa Hazratin which contextHazratis Turkish and meansMajestyorHighnessand thus literally translated meansHigher MajestyorHigher Highnessand is internationally also equal toHis Royal Highness.Jalalat Mahabwas still used for other cadet branches bycustomary lawand in light of the law of royal expenses, based on Article 13 and 24 of the Royal Constitution of 1964. Cadet branches include:[13][14]

The King himself held the titleAlaa Hazrat Humayoonwhich literally translated meansHis Most Noble Majesty,and can be equalized withHis Majestyinternationally.

Despite thede factofall ofBarakzai leadershipthrough theSoviet Invasionin year 1978, the address is until today still used out of courtesy.

Saudi Arabia

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In Saudi Arabia, all members of the royal family have the title ofEmir(Prince) but sons, daughters,patrilinealgranddaughters and grandsons ofIbn Saudare referred to by thestyle"His Royal Highness"(HRH), differing from those belonging to thecadet brancheswho are styled as "His/Her Highness" (HH), and in addition to that a reigning king has the title ofCustodian of the Two Holy Mosques.[15][16][17]

The definition of thecadet brancheshas been legally defined in year 2000 byKing Abdullahand includes the following:[18]

Republican and non-royal usage

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Very rarely, the style ofHighnessor variations thereof have been used by non-monarchical heads of state, particularly before the 20th century, and often in cases where the distinction between monarchy and republic was blurred. For example,Oliver Cromwelland his wife were styled "Highness" upon his elevation toLord Protectorof theCommonwealth;he also enjoyed the style ofby the Grace of God,was succeeded byhis son,andhad even been offered the throne.[1]

Spanish-speaking world

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In theSpanish-speaking world,a handful of leaders historically enjoyed the official, if often ephemeral, style ofHighness(Alteza) or variations thereof.

In Spain,Manuel Godoy,who twice served asPrime Ministerfrom 1792 to 1797 and from 1801 to 1808, was granted the style ofMost Serene Highness(Su Alteza Serenísima) in 1807 byKingCharles IV.He had been createdPrincipe de la Paz( "Prince of the Peace" ) in 1795, but the princely title did not carry the style ofHighnesson its own. The former style was possibly derived from the traditional Spanish honorific ofExcelentísimo Señor(The Most Excellent).

Baldomero Espartero, Prince of Vergara,who wasregentfor QueenIsabella IIfrom 1840 to 1843, and three times served as Prime Minister: in 1837, from 1840 to 1841, and from 1854 to 1856, was createdPrince of Vergarawith the exceptional (and not strictly non-royal) style ofRoyal Highness(Alteza Real)[citation needed]in 1872. Espartero had previously declined an offer to the throne following theSpanish Revolution of 1868,which instead went to the ItalianAmadeo of Savoy,who in turn bestowed the royal princedom on him.

Furthermore, according to the provisions of Royal Decree 1368/1987 promulgated by KingJuan Carlos Iin 1987, aRegentof Spain is to enjoy the style ofHighness(as well as protocolary honours equal to those of thePrince of Asturias), unless they were to possess rank conferring a higher style.[19]

During the short-livedLuz de Americauprising of 1809 in modern-dayEcuador,theJunta de Gobierno Autónoma de Quito( "Autonomous GovernmentJuntaof[the Royal Audiencia of] Quito"), granted its president,Juan Pío de Montúfar, 2nd Marquis of Selva Alegre,the style ofMost Serene Highness,while claiming for itself the collective dignity of "Majesty"(as it purported to be acting in the name of KingFerdinand VII). Selva Alegre's pseudo-monarchical government, which was formed followingNapoleon's invasion of Spainin 1808 and lasted for a mere seventy-five days, was considered by both contemporaries and later historians to be a thinly-disguised effort to establish a "Kingdom of Quito"; Selva dressed himself in regal vestments, bestowed honours on citizens, and instituted theNational Order of San Lorenzo(which was much later revived byEcuadorian PresidentCamilo Ponce Enríquezin 1959).[20]

Antonio López de Santa Anna,enjoyed the official style ofMost Serene Highnessduring hiseleventh and final tenureasPresident of Mexicofor life from 1853 until his deposal in 1855.[21]

Elsewhere

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United States

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Shortly before theinauguration of George Washingtonas the firstPresident of the United States,then-Vice PresidentJohn Adamsorganised acongressional committeeon the matter of the title and style of the President. There Adams agitated for the adoption of the style ofHighness(as well as the title ofProtector of Their [the United States'] Liberties) for the President.[22]Others favored the variant ofElectoral Highnessor the lesserExcellency,the latter of which was vociferously opposed by Adams, who contended that it was far beneath the presidential dignity, as the executives of the states, some of which were also titled "President" (e.g. thePresident of Pennsylvania), at that time often enjoyed the style ofExcellency;Adams said that the President "would be levelled with colonial governors or with functionaries from German princedoms" if he were to use the style ofExcellency.On further consideration, Adams deemed evenHighnessinsufficient and instead proposed that the Executive, both the President and the Vice President (i.e., himself), be styledMajesty,with only which the "great danger" of insufficient dignity being attached to the executive could be solved.[22]Adams' efforts were met with widespread derision and perplexion;Thomas Jeffersoncalled them "the most superlatively ridiculous thing I ever heard of", whileBenjamin Franklinconsidered it "absolutely mad".[22]The proposal came to naught, and American Presidents, from Washington onwards, have eschewed honorific titles and styles altogether and are simply referred to asMr. President.

Samoa

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In modern-daySamoa,theO le Ao o le Malo,the Samoan head of state, has since the country's independence enjoyed the title ofHighness,as do the heads of the four paramountchiefly dynasties.However, as all of the heads of state, elected by theFono,the country's parliament (which is itself almost entirely composed of customary chiefs), since independence have been one of the four chiefs, it is ambiguous as to whether the country constitutes aparliamentary republicor ademocraticelective monarchy.

Other Arab Countries

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Emirsof Qatar, Kuwait and UAE also use the style of Your Highness.

Patrilineal descendants of former ruling Emirs of Iraq use His Highness for the head of the house[23]

African royaltycommonly use "Highness" to refer to their junior dynasts. Some ranking monarchs also make use of the style. An example of the former is PrincessElizabeth Bagayaof theTooro Kingdomin Uganda. An example of the latter is the princess' sister-in-law,Queen Best Kemigisa.

Other uses

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Regardless of the official traditions in the various colonial empires, the style is evidently used to render, often merely informally, various somewhat analogous titles in non-western cultures, regardless whether there is an actual linguistic and/or historical link. Furthermore, inNorth America,some chiefs of certain indigenous tribes or nations use the style of Highness, which may or may not be recognised by their governments.

TheAga Khanwas granted the style ofHis HighnessbyElizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdomin 1957 upon the death of his grandfatherAga Khan III.This has been a traditional gesture by British sovereigns since the Aga Khan III allied himself with Britain against Afghanistan.

Variations and precedence

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While the actual precedence depends on the rank itself, and sometimes more specifically on the monarchy, rather than on the style of address, the holders tend to end up roughly in the following order of precedence:

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdPine, L.G.(1992).Titles.New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc. pp.36, 69, 92, 94, 104, 148–149.ISBN978-1-56619-085-5.
  2. ^Selden,Titles of Honor,part I, Ch. vii. p. 100
  3. ^abcOne or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Highness".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 456.
  4. ^"His Highness Prince Sverre Magnus".Monarchy of Norway.Retrieved30 April2011.
  5. ^"Top 100 in line to the throne".Channel 4.27 March 2009.
  6. ^"Making money the royal way! - Economic Times".Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2012.Retrieved18 July2011.
  7. ^"'His Exalted Highness' to be staged today ".The Hindu.2007-03-14.
  8. ^"Crown Office".The London Gazette(60384): 213. 8 January 2013.
  9. ^British Royal Family Website.The Queen and Honours.The Royal Household. Buckingham Palace. accessed 5 February 2019.
  10. ^Encyclopedia Iranica in Constitutional History of Afghanistan
  11. ^Adamek in Who is Who in Afghanistan
  12. ^Mir Assadullah Sadat in Alqab Dowalti
  13. ^"Afghanistan's Constitution of 1964"(PDF).Constitute.
  14. ^Christopher Buyers in Royal Ark, Afghanistan
  15. ^Amos, Deborah (1991)."Sheikh to Chic".Mother Jones. p. 28.Retrieved12 July2016.
  16. ^"Saudi Arabia: HRH or HH? - American Bedu".7 August 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 7 August 2016.
  17. ^"Family Tree".datarabia.com.Retrieved7 December2016.
  18. ^Washington institute in "After King Abdullah"https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/media/3420
  19. ^"Real Decreto 1368/1987, de 6 de noviembre, sobre régimen de títulos, tratamientos y honores de la Familia Real y de los Regentes".Boletín Oficial del Estado.Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado. p. 33717.Retrieved22 November2014.
  20. ^Pimentel, Rodolfo Perez."Juan Pío Montúfar y Larrea".diccionariobiograficoecuador.com.Diccionario Biográfico del Ecuador. Archived fromthe originalon 18 September 2014.Retrieved22 November2014.
  21. ^Sible, Randy."The Life of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna: Savior, Emperor, President, and Dictator".Latin American Studies.Retrieved22 November2014.
  22. ^abcHutson, James H. (March 1968). "John Adams' Title Campaign".The New England Quarterly.41(1): 30–39.doi:10.2307/363331.JSTOR363331.
  23. ^Batatu, H (1978).The Old Social Classes and the Revolutionary Movements of Iraq.Princeton University Press.
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