Medieval Princesses

The Princess of Wales based her household and office at Kensington Palace. She was involved in official tours and visited many countries, including Australia (for her bicentenary celebrations in 1988), Canada, Indonesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Cameroon, India, South Korea, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. The Princess was particularly fond of her tours to Africa and Asia, where she enjoyed meeting with local people.

Princess is a title that may be used to refer to any woman who is a member of the royal family, especially a daughter of a monarch. A princess also may be a hereditary ruler of a principality, such as Queen Anne of Monaco.

During the Middle Ages, the role of a princess was largely ceremonial and political. Princesses were often betrothed at an early age to princes of other kingdoms or regions, and these marriages were usually arranged as ways to forge alliances and strengthen dynastic power. Princesses were expected to bear children, entertain guests and support their husbands in their royal duties. Childbirth was a dangerous undertaking, and many princesses died shortly after giving birth.

Today, we look back at the lives of medieval princesses with a mixture of admiration and sympathy. They lived in a highly limited and precarious world where they were expected to fulfill many duties while also maintaining a sense of style and elegance. They endured many risks and limitations, yet some, such as Eleanor of Aquitaine, were able to exert significant political influence despite their limitations.