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Princess is a regal rank and the feminine equivalent of prince. Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince or for the daughters of a king or sovereign prince.

Etymology
The word princess originates from the French word princesse, which derives from the post-classical Latin word princissa. Starting around the mid 16th century or earlier the word princess was used as an affectionate address to a woman or girl especially as a term of affection or endearment. It has become common for young female or little girls to be affectionately called a princess. The first written account of this informal usage is in 1709 when Thomas D'Urfey wrote “Ah!—parbleiu my Princess, my Queen, vat you please.” This meaning of the word princess has become almost synonymous with the word girl. For example when insulting a boy you could call them a princess in the same way you could call them a girl.

Then in the later 19th century the word princess became used to refer to a young woman, usually wealthy, whose behaviour reflects that she has been over-indulged or pampered. Princess could refer to a female who was especially arrogant, supercilious, or uncaring. The first known account of this usage is in 1966 when L. Tornabenne wrote “A Jewish Princess always has a gala Sweet Sixteen party.” This meaning and usage for the word Princess originated in the United States of America and is mainly used in the U.S. as a term for a spoiled woman or girl.

Princess as a substantive title
The titles of some princesses hold their titles are reigning monarchs of principalities. There have been fewer instances of reigning princesses than reigning princes as most principalities excluded women from inheriting the throne. Examples of princesses regnant have included Constance of Antioch, princess regnant of Antioch in the 12th century. As the President of France, an office for which women are eligible, is ex-officio co-Prince of Andorra, Andorra could theoretically be ruled by a co-Princess.

Descendants of monarchs
For many centuries, the title "princess" was not regularly used for a monarch's daughter, who, In English, might simply be called "Lady". Old English had no female equivalent of "prince", "earl", or any royal or noble title aside from queen. Royal women were simply addressed or referred to as "The Lady [Firstname]". For example, Elizabeth and Mary, daughters of Henry VIII of England were often simply referred to as "the Ladies Elizabeth and Mary". This practice, however, was not consistent. In the marriage contract between Prince George of Denmark and Anne, daughter of James I of Great Britain, Anne is referred to as "The Princess Anne".

Practice in Britain began to change in the 18th century. After the accession of George I to the British throne, the children, grandchildren, and male line great grandchildren of the British Sovereign were automatically titled "Prince or Princess of Great Britain and Ireland" and styled "Royal Highness" (in the case of children and grandchildren) or "Highness" (in the case of male line great grandchildren). Queen Victoria confirmed this practice in Letters Patent dated 30 January 1864 (the first Act of the Prerogative dealing with the princely title in general terms). On 31 December 2012, Elizabeth II issued letters patent enabling all children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales to enjoy the princely title and style of Royal Highness, as opposed to only the eldest son.

Wives of princes
In European countries, a woman who marries a prince will almost always become a princess, but a man who marries a princess will almost never become a prince, unless specifically created so. From 1301 onward, the eldest sons of the Kings of England (and later Great Britain and the United Kingdom) have generally been created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, and their wives have been titled Princess of Wales.

Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom issued Letters Patent dated 21 August 1996 stating that any woman divorced from a Prince of the United Kingdom would no longer be entitled to the style "Royal Highness". This has so far applied to Diana, Princess of Wales, and Sarah, Duchess of York. Similarly, in Denmark, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg lost the her status as princess upon her divorce from Prince Joachim of Denmark. Queen Margrethe bestowed instead upon her former daughter-in-law the additional personal title Grevinde af Frederiksborg.