Why Celestia isn't a queen (in universe explaination)

[Forlong 1,726]

We've all been wondering why Celestia isn't a queen.  Sure, we know why Faust had to make her a princess, because Hasbro thought it was more marketable.  Is there a way she could be ruler, yet still be a princess?  Yes, in fact there are three ways I can think of.

 

Before I explain each possibility, you have to understand that Celestia is not a monarch, but a regent.  The difference is that a monarch inherits her position, while a regent is selected either by counsel or the people.  A regent can be part of the royal family, but is not the proper heir.  The position is also intended to be temporary, though it doesn't always pan out that way.  "Princess" is clearly a regent title, as Celestia has the authority as high regent to appoint new regents and grant them royal titles.

 

Theory #1: The true monarch has been missing since the chaos from 1000 years ago.  Celestia is either unable to take the rank of queen because she wasn't named an heir or is unwilling to accept that the true king/queen has passed away.

 

Theory #2: She and Luna share a regency counsel, having the same level of authority.  In this case, neither is the monarch, but both retain their royal title.

 

Theory #3: She must marry before she can attain the rank of queen.

 

Which do you think it is?  Or is it something else entirely?  I think my first theory makes the most sense.  It also has the best potential for future stories.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Your first theory to me, sounds correct. Since, Celestia is probably unsure if the king/queen is dead she is not able to become a queen without a true monarchy rule without knowing if the king or queen has passed away to take over the throne.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

I guess that she likes to be called a princess.

Maybe Princess Celestia and Princess Luna think that "queen" sounds too evil...

[caramba2654 602]

I guess that she likes to be called a princess.

Maybe Princess Celestia and Princess Luna think that "queen" sounds too evil...

 

Actually, it's exactly that. Lauren Faust said that Celestia was supposed to be a queen, but later got changed to princess because queens are usually portrayed as evil, as you can see in Cinderella and King Sombra.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

Actually, it's exactly that. Lauren Faust said that Celestia was supposed to be a queen, but later got changed to princess because queens are usually portrayed as evil, as you can see in Cinderella and King Sombra.

I know. I was exactly making a joke out of that. It could be a good explanation to be canonized, in my opinion.

It's almost sad... Look at poor evil Queen Chrysalis.

 

To be honest, I don't care what they are called. What they DO is what is important to me.

[KandeeFlaus 36]

Obvious marketing reasons aside, I like to think that Celestia is a princess and not a queen primarily because Luna is her equal. In your typical monarchy there can only be one king and/or queen, while there can be multiple princes and princesses. Because Celestia and Luna are considered equal and opposite, they assume the highest rank possible, princess.

[FNGRpony 658]

Obvious marketing reasons aside, I like to think that Celestia is a princess and not a queen primarily because Luna is her equal. In your typical monarchy there can only be one king and/or queen, while there can be multiple princes and princesses. Because Celestia and Luna are considered equal and opposite, they assume the highest rank possible, princess.

 

Tut that's rubbish they've had parliament in england side by side with the king when he was more than just a figure head.

 

Um seeing as how most people see Celestial as a deity who cares what she calls herself?

 

Be it queen, princess,

or big banana .

[aoEAF2FBvC0MIo2Q 3,673]

Theory #3: She must marry before she can attain the rank of queen.

...

Was Cadence ever referred to as a princess or queen in season 3? I only watched seasons 3 through once so my memory's kinda fuzzy on this...

[Fhaolan 4,483]

You're assuming Queen outranks Princess. This only applies to a narrow band of European countries. Historically 'Prince' was a generic title applied to anyone of high authority, regardless of their actual rank. It's still used that way in many places around the world.

 

And there is no reason why Celestia and Luna can't both be Queens of a diarchy. There have been several nations rules by two Kings simultaneously. Sparta, for instance traditionally has two Kings, each descended from a different son of Hercules, who rule at the exact same time.

 

I wrote up a long complex version of this awhile back:

 

Part 1: http://mlpforums.com/blog/844/entry-4983-equestria-and-the-crystal-empire-always-a-princess-never-a-queen/

 

Part 2: http://mlpforums.com/blog/844/entry-4984-equestria-and-the-crystal-empire-king-of-crystal/

 

Part 3: http://mlpforums.com/blog/844/entry-4985-equestria-and-the-crystal-empire-the-rise-of-equestria/

[TheSupremeLeaderOfChaos 1,206]

I think it is because Luna and herself were supposed to share equal authority. Plus, Celestia doesn't seem like she'd be comfortable with being called "Queen". But, you know, sure if you want to make the show all dark, yeah, let's say the old monarch died! That's a wonderful, happy idea.

[FNGRpony 658]

...

Was Cadence ever referred to as a princess or queen in season 3? I only watched seasons 3 through once so my memory's kinda fuzzy on this...

there's no way..the writers would make candence with a bigger rank than celestial LOL.

 

....Hum, i'm... I'm.. Hell i don't know if i'm yay or nay on that idea?

I like playing devil's advocate and taking the less traveled path but... that gives me pause lol

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

Actually, given that Cadence and Shining Armor are leading an Empire, they are technically an Emperor and Empress. They are still called Prince and Princess, though. Royal terms don't seem to be very rigorously applied, so why not Princess Celestia rather than Queen Celestia?

[MichaelxXxTrixie 433]

Queen has more of a negative connotation with it while Princess sounds more friendly and nice.

 

The in-universe explanation could be simply this. They just call there rulers Princess because that's what they call royalty. 

[dekutree64 713]

I think it's just a matter of terminology. As has been said, Shining and Cadence are a married couple with their own kingdom now, and still called prince/princess, which I think invalidates all 3 of those options. Chrysalis is called a queen, but maybe that's in the sense of "queen bee", i.e. sole mother of a colony, rather than political leader.

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

I think it's just a matter of terminology. As has been said, Shining and Cadence are a married couple with their own kingdom now, and still called prince/princess, which I think invalidates all 3 of those options. Chrysalis is called a queen, but maybe that's in the sense of "queen bee", i.e. sole mother of a colony, rather than political leader.

Queen Chrysalis rules the changelings, but nothing states that she is the mother of all of them. She's evil, so Queen fits, is as far as the writer's thinking goes... I'm guessing.

[dekutree64 713]

Queen Chrysalis rules the changelings, but nothing states that she is the mother of all of them. She's evil, so Queen fits, is as far as the writer's thinking goes... I'm guessing.

Yeah, I'm just trying to come up with an in-universe explanation for the difference of words But I suppose ponies may just be honest about it and use prince/princess for rulers they like, and king/queen for rulers they hate.

[Level3rd 128]

I always figured that she wasn't a queen because she didn't have a king to rut her every night in her chambers after a long hard day....hmmmmmmm...(lost in daydream)...

Me Gusta

Edited October 8, 2013 by Level3rd

[JonathanDP81 43]

This really sounds to me like a topic that might be covered in Season 4, with Twilight learning how to be a princess herself.

[Malinter 3,064]

The title of Princess as a different meaning in the MLP verse than it does here.

 

One does not have to be born a princess to be one. They just need to achieve the highest form of magic to ascend to become an alicorn.

 

Perhaps they simply do not take the title of princess out some respect for the mother OR ponies simply have no higher rank than "Princess" for example, the 3 tribes summit. Princess Platinium is the leader of the Unicorns yet not a queen. (tho titles of Commander and Chancellor exist and at this time were of equal rank).

 

Its also noticable only the villians take ranks higher than princess like Sombra and Chrysallis but this probably from them both being egotistical a**holes.

Edited October 8, 2013 by Greenfield

[Fluttershutter 2,457]

I always just figured it wan't a big deal. They're ponies, they don't have to use human terms exactly the way humans do for everything.

 

And I agree with Hasbro on this one. Princess just sounds nicer and more fun.

[Forlong 1,726]

Not surprisingly, this topic is very popular.

 

Obvious marketing reasons aside, I like to think that Celestia is a princess and not a queen primarily because Luna is her equal. In your typical monarchy there can only be one king and/or queen, while there can be multiple princes and princesses. Because Celestia and Luna are considered equal and opposite, they assume the highest rank possible, princess.

So, basically, you're saying:

 

Tut that's rubbish they've had parliament in england side by side with the king when he was more than just a figure head.

That's a different branch of the government.

 

...

Was Cadence ever referred to as a princess or queen in season 3? I only watched seasons 3 through once so my memory's kinda fuzzy on this...

She was referred to as "princess" in all of season 3.

 

Actually, given that Cadence and Shining Armor are leading an Empire, they are technically an Emperor and Empress. They are still called Prince and Princess, though. Royal terms don't seem to be very rigorously applied, so why not Princess Celestia rather than Queen Celestia?

They are not necessarily proper heirs to the empire.  They are ruling in the stead of Princess Celestia, which would make them viceroys.  This also makes Equestria an empire ruling over the Crystal Empire.  Try to wrap your head around that!

[Nature's Spell 526]

I personally like the idea that it's due to Luna and Celestia being equals in their respective realms (Cadence and Twilight are now too). However, Celestia is first among equals because she's the big sister and was the sole ruler for 1,000 years. We also need to accept the fact that Equestria uses titles differently than we do, but it's also true that, historically, royal titles were not used in the pat way we've come to understand them. It was more complex, but the people at that time "got it" and so do the citizens of Equestria.

[Weirdbear 0]

I guess that she likes to be called a princess.

Maybe Princess Celestia and Princess Luna think that "queen" sounds too evil...

Yeah because of queen crystals. And also king sombra may have something to do with it to.

[Castle Bleck 19,361]

She just calls herself Princess to seem more down-to-earth to her subjects.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Anti-Villain

[Singe 2,111]

Having Celestia remain a princess in title keeps her as an equal among other alicorns.

 

In Japanese terms of comedy, being called Queen would make Celestia feel old.