Can a Descendant of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Use the Title of Prince/Princess of Greece and Denmark?

The question of whether a descendant of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, can use the title of Prince/Princess of Greece and Denmark is a intriguing and complex one. To fully understand this matter, it's important to delve into the historical context and legal standing of these titles and the royal family's stance on them.

Historical Context and Legal Precedents

The question of titles and royal succession is governed by both historical traditions and modern legal frameworks. In 1932, King George V of the United Kingdom issued a Royal Warrant that effectively prohibited British subjects from using foreign titles. This ban has been in place ever since, with only a few exceptions, notably for current holders of royal licenses and their heirs born with those titles.

Regulation of Foreign Titles in the UK

1932 Royal Warrant: The 1932 Royal Warrant states that the use of foreign titles by British subjects is to be abolished, and no further recommendations for royal licences to use them officially in the UK are to be submitted.

Requirements for Licenses: Before 1932, any foreigner seeking to apply for British citizenship had to relinquish their foreign titles. However, once naturalized, they could use their British titles in lieu of foreign titles. Licenses were required for the use of foreign titles in the UK, and these were only granted to current holders and their heirs born.

Private Use: After naturalization, British subjects could retain their foreign titles for private use, as long as they did not use them officially or legally.

Following his naturalization as a British subject in 1947, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was no longer styled Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on any official sources. However, King George VI offered him the opportunity to continue using the style HRH Prince Philip, without the territorial designation "of Greece and Denmark."

The Renunciation of Titles by Philip

There are several key factors regarding Philip's renunciation of his titles:

The King of Greece acknowledged Philip's intention to become a British citizen and renounce his claim to the Greek crown in the late 1930s. However, the certificate did not specifically mention his dynastic rights or the rights of his descendants. Legal Basis: There is no precedent for the renunciation of titles conferred by a foreign sovereign in England. According to Sir Claud Schuster, a clerk of the Crown in Chancery, a renunciation should properly take place according to the laws of the country in which the titles were granted.

Philip's Titles and Uses

From 1947 onwards, Philip retained his title as Prince of Greece and Denmark in a non-official, private capacity. The Garter King of Arms maintained the use of this title despite the Royal Family's official stance. Although there is no concrete evidence that Philip formally renounced these titles for himself or his descendants, it is acknowledged that he kept them in a private capacity.

Comparison with Other Succession Cases

Other descendants of foreign royal families behave differently:

Prince Albert and Prince Edward: When Prince Albert renounced his claim to the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, he did so only for himself, and his eldest son lived under a similar arrangement. However, their descendants continued to claim the titles until 1917.

Prince Michael of Greece: Upon marriage, he renounced his dynastic claims and those of his descendants but maintained their princely title.

Prince Pavlos of Greece: The Crown Prince of Greece has not claimed his father's title of King, reflecting the current stance on historical succession.

Legal and Practical Considerations in Modern Times

Today, in the UK, the Mountbatten-Windsor descendants cannot use the titles of Prince/Princess of Greece and Denmark officially. However, in Denmark, they can use the style "Prince of Denmark" as a lesser title. Their status is subject to the consent of the Danish King, and they are not in the Danish Succession, so claiming a lesser title appears superfluous.

Conclusion

While a descendant of Prince Philip could theoretically use the title and style of Prince/Princess of Greece and Denmark, it would likely be seen as more of a formality than a practical necessity. Whether or not to use these titles would depend on personal preference and the potential for public misunderstanding or criticism. Ultimately, the UK's stance and the fact that the current monarchs hold their titles in a fully recognized capacity in Denmark make the use of these lesser titles somewhat redundant.