Prince

Prince. The origin of this title is frequently assigned to the denomination of princeps senatus, applied to the most respected member of the Roman Senate, and afterwards, it is said, adopted by Augustus. The view now accepted, however, is that the title adopted by Augustus was that of princeps simply, in the sense of "foremost citizen." With the growth of Imperial power the term princeps came to imply sovereignty or dominion. Unlike "king" and "monarch," it is applied to dependent as well as supreme rulers, and even to persons of royal or noble blood who exercise no authority at all. In England its use is confined to those who are closely related to the reigning sovereign.