A person is considered royalty primarily by belonging to a family that reigns or has historically reigned by hereditary right.
In essence, royalty is determined by lineage and established rules of succession within a ruling or formerly ruling family. This hereditary right is the core element. While definitions can vary, the key factors are:
- Hereditary Right: The most crucial element. Royalty is typically passed down through family lines, usually following specific rules of succession (e.g., primogeniture).
- Reigning Family: Members of a family currently holding power and recognized as the ruling dynasty in a country or region.
- Formerly Reigning Family: Even after a monarchy is deposed, members of the former royal family may still be considered royalty in some circles, often maintaining titles and a sense of historical significance.
- Extended Relations: The extended family of a monarch, both current and former, can also be considered royalty, although their specific titles and status may vary.
- House/Dynasty: A royal family is often referred to as a "House" (e.g., the House of Windsor).
Therefore, the primary determinant of royalty is the hereditary claim to a throne or the association with a family that historically held such a claim.
