Prince of Viana
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Charles of Viana
The Prince or Princess of Viana (
Crown of Spain. Other associated titles originate from the rest of the kingdoms that formed Spain: Prince of Asturias, Prince of Girona, Duke of Montblanc, Count of Cervera and Lord of Balaguer
.
History
Originally it was the title of the heir of the
Gaston IV of Foix. Its creation and use was a reflection of a Western European trend of bestowing upon the heirs of a kingdom rents for his personal benefit. In pre-unification Spain, the comparable titles were Prince of Asturias, in Castile and Prince of Girona, in Aragon. In other European states, similar titles included Dauphin, in France, Prince of Beira or Prince of Brazil, in Portugal and Prince of Wales
, in England.
Due to several historical events, such as the 15th century dynastic union of Spain between
Spanish monarchy.[citation needed
]
The current holder of the Principality of Viana is Letizia. Leonor also uses the rest of the traditional titles of the heir of the Spanish Crown: Prince of Asturias, Prince of Girona, Duke of Montblanc and Lord of Balaguer
.
There are still a few people left with the royal surname of Viana, though they no longer have the Spanish Throne.