Prince (Abron)
In Abron, a prince (fem. princess) is a child of the King of Abron. The eldest legitimate child of the king (who will succeed the throne upon the death of the king) is known as the crown prince or crown princess. Princes and princesses form most of the Abronese line of succession, and although they are rarely directly responsible for ruling any of the kingdom's lands (though a prince also being a duke is not unprecedented in Abronese history), they frequently serve in important civil, military, and diplomatic functions.
Requirements
A prince gains his title in one of three ways, all of which require birth or marriage into the Abronese royal family. First, one becomes a prince simply by being a child of the King of Abron. In this case, the title is lifelong unless the prince ascends to the throne. For example, if the king has two sons and then dies, his eldest son becomes king. His younger brother, however, still retains the title of prince, even though it is his brother (rather than his father) on the throne. Second, one may become a prince by being a child of the crown prince, upon the death of the king. Children born to princes are usually styled simply "lord" or "lady," but when the crown prince becomes king, his children immediately become princes and princesses. Finally, one may become a prince by marrying into the royal family. In this case, the title is prince consort or princess consort.
Appointment
There is no ceremony to appoint a prince since a prince's investiture always occurs in concert with another solemn event: his birth, his marriage, or the coronation of his elder sibling to the Emerald Throne.
Duties
Although a Prince of Abron has few administrative obligations, he has many duties to the kingdom. Princes are often the most visible faces of the royal family, and so they always act as representatives of the king himself. A prince must be invested in the welfare of the kingdom, and that may carry many varied duties. Above all, the prince - especially the crown prince - must dedicate himself to ruling the kingdom justly. Throughout his childhood, a Prince of Abron must study diligently and prepare himself for the day he will be called to rule. Even if not a crown prince, the prince is part of the Abronese line of succession and so must be prepared to rule one day.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of a child of the King of Abron is study, especially as a young child. He must train his mind with the palace tutors, and train his body with the master at arms. In every respect, it is the prince's responsibility to prepare himself for the day when he might have to rule the kingdom. However, he also has other responsibilities while still prince. Princes frequently serve in important positions as heads of state. They may be called upon to lead the King's Guard into war with Abron's enemies; they may also be called to broker treaties to end or prevent wars. A prince may be required to sit in audience in the king's stead, where he must hear petitions and mete justice. He may have to handle matters with the privy council, or with the dukes of the kingdom's great holds. In very many ways, a prince often serves as the king's direct representative to the people of the kingdom, both common and noble.
Accoutrements & Equipment
The prince bears the signet ring and seal of the royal family, along with his personal signet ring and seal, each bearing his sigil. He is also granted a full achievement arms by virtue of his birth, along with the right to use the arms of the royal family. The crown prince also uses the regalia of his position when serving official functions: the prince's crown, scepter, and mantle.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Strictly speaking, a prince is a prince by virtue of the fact that he is the son of the king, and as such, it is not technically possible for a prince to be removed or dismissed. In practice, however, a prince may be denied the power of his title. The king may disinherit a prince, and doing such has the effect of denying him the use of any power his birth affords him. With no authority (other than that of the royal family) invested in him by mere virtue of his princedom, a prince cannot abdicate, though he can simply abstain from exercising his power.
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