Highness

(hi'něs.) [From high.] (Hist.) A title of honor first given to bishops, then to princes. Previous to James I., the English monarchs were addre ed by it, instead of the more modern " majesty." The title of royal highne , first a umed by Gaston, Duc-d'Orleans, brother of Louis XIII. of France, is now generally used by the lawful offspring of crowned heads other than emperors, the latter taking the dignity of imperial highne . Grand-dukes, as of Baden, Mecklenburg, ., are addre ed as grand-ducal highne ; other princes, as serene highne . [s. 455]