PRINCE

(From the Latin princeps, /rsi, leader, or fore most.) This title is probably of Teutonic origin: the Gorman equivalent, furst, has the same etymological signification, and the Latin nation appeus to have translated it. In England, the title is applied only to members of the royal family; and in no case, except that of the eldest son of the reigning king (Prince of Wales), is it connected with a territorial distinction. On the Continent, the rank of princes is various: in France, under the old regime, the title belonged only to certain families of high distinction, connected with the royal blood; it ranks in Germany below that of duke. [s. 995]