From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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 Maria Teresa Mestre, the consort of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, and also by her mother-in-law Joséphine-Charlotte, whose husband abdicated in 2000.
"Grand Duchess" is also the traditional translation of the title Velikaia Kniaginia, which was given to daughters and granddaughters of a Russian Tsar. It could more correctly 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 kept the title in their own right after the death of their husbands.
The title therefore is held by one of the following people:
- A woman reigning in her own right in a grand duchy
- A wife of a sovereign Grand Duke
- A daughter of a Russian Tsar
- A paternal granddaughter of a Russian Tsar
- A wife of a Russian Grand Duke
