Grandduchy.docVIP

A grand duchy, sometimes referred to as a grand dukedom, is a territory whose head of state is a monarch, either a grand duke or grand duchess. Today Luxembourg is the only remaining grand duchy. However, some historical grand duchies still retain the titles granted to them, usually from the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815. The titles of grand duke and grand duchess, when used as a translation from another language, may not necessarily be associated with a particular grand duchy. Contents 1 Title and origins of grand duchies 2 Western grand dukes and their sovereignties 3 Previous European grand duchies 4 Metonymy 5 Grand prince 6 See also Title and origins of grand duchies The title of grand duke (Latin: Magnus Dux) ranks in honor below king, but higher in diplomatic precedence than a sovereign duke or sovereign prince. Hence, grand duchy is the name used when referring to the territory of such a sovereign grand duke or duchess. The title has confusedly, in translation and in diplomatic ranking (such as deciding who precedes whom in a diplomatic event such as a dinner), been applied to some non-sovereigns, particularly in pre-United Nations eastern European nations. Grand duke is also the usual and established translation of sovereign grand prince in languages which do not have separate words meaning prince for: the non-ruling relatives of a monarch, and monarch (sovereign or like) princes. English and French use grand duke in this way. Grand Duke is also the usual and established translation in English and French of the Russian courtesy title Velikiy Knjaz (Grand Prince) of Russia, which from 17th century belonged to members of the family of the Russian tsar, although under the Russian despotism, those grand dukes were not sovereigns. The title of sovereign Grand Duke and it as translation of grand prince thus have clearly different meanings. In the widespread political reorganisations following World War II many monarchies ceased to exist, making the ti