prinsesse

The term prinsesse is the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish word for princess, a female member of a royal or noble family. Historically, a prinsesse was typically a daughter or close relative of a reigning monarch, and she often had duties related to court ceremony, diplomatic marriage arrangements, and the patronage of religious and charitable institutions. In many European traditions, a principium—derived from the same root as principium (the Latin word for prince)—was reserved for female royalty of equal or greater status than a princess unless hereditary titles and local customs dictated otherwise.

The role of a prinsesse has evolved to include public duties such as representing the royal family at events, supporting national causes, and contributing to cultural preservation. In contemporary constitutional monarchies, a prinsesse usually does not possess sovereign powers but may influence public policy indirectly through advocacy and visibility.

Notable modern examples include Crown Princess of Sweden, Victoria; Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit; and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway. In literature and popular culture, the archetype of a prinsesse appears in fairy tales such as those collected by the Brothers Grimm, as well as in modern media including animated films by Disney and European television series.

The title of prinsesse can be hereditary, conferred, or married. In some monarchies, marriage to a prince or king automatically ennobles a woman as prinsesse, while in others the title may be granted at the discretion of the sovereign or the royal council. In countries where the monarchy has been abolished, the title may exist only as a historical or ceremonial designation.