TITLES OF HONOR, designations to which certain persons are legally entitled, in consequence of possessing particular dignities or offices. King and emperor are titles of honor belonging to the sovereigns of different countries; and your majesty is the form of address to which, by the usage of most European countries, they are entitled. Your grace was in England, in former times, the usual mode of addressing the sovereign. The epithet majesty, taken from the majestas of the emperors of Rome, was adopted by the emperors of Germany, who considered themselves their successors; but its use by other European sovereigns is of comparatively recent date. Henry VIII. was the first king of England, and Henry II. the first king of France, who adopted it. Your high ness is the style adopted by the sultan of Turkey. The proper style of the reigning sovereign of the United Kingdom is, "Victoria, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, queen, defender of the faith." The sons of the sovereigns of England are styled princes, and their daughters princesses; and the sove reign's eldest son is prince of Wales (q.v.). The title of royal highness is given to all the
children of the sovereign, and by letters-patent under the great seal in February, 1804, her majesty declared her pleasure that the children of the sons of the sovereign should also enjoy the same title. The different grades of the peerage have their several titles— duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron—each of which was in its origin a name of office involving certain specific duties. See Forams OF ADDRESS, COURTESY TITLES.
Though most European countries have their dukes, marquises, counts, viscounts, and barons, these often differ considerably in rank from the seemingly corresponding titles in Britain, and the English rules and practices regarding title are not applicable abroad. The complicated system of titles by law, and still more by courtesy, which prevails in England, is a source of endless perplexity to such foreigners as endeavor to make themselves ac quainted with our usages.