Grand Duchess : Grand duchess

A Grand Duchess is the wife of a grand duke or a woman who rules a grand duchy in her own right. The title of Grand Duchess is currently used by the female sovereigns of Luxemburg.

Grand Duchess is also the traditional translation of the title velikaia kniaginia, which was given to daughters and granddaughters of a Russian Tsar. It can also be translated Grand Princess. This title was also given to the wives of sons and grandsons of the Tsar where it was considered an actual title not just a courtesy title. Several grand duchesses in Russia ruled after their husband's death in their own right.

The title Grand Duchess is held by one of the following people:

• The daughter of a Russian Tsar
• The wife of a Russian Grand Duke
• The daughter of a Russian Grand Duke
• The Paternal Granddaughter of a Russian Grand Duke
• The wife of a paternal grandson of a Russian Tsar
• The wife of a sovereign Grand Duke
• A woman reigning in her own right in a Grand Duchy

See also: Grand duke, Grand duchy, Fürst, Prince, Ranks of nobility and peerage and Titles of nobility