Translation guide
The wife of a crown prince, or a female heir apparent to a throne. In Japanese, the term depends on whether she is the consort or the heir in her own right, and the specific imperial system.
The wife of a crown prince, the future empress consort.
Standard term for the wife of the crown prince in the Japanese imperial family. Used in formal and official contexts.
The Crown Princess visited abroad on official duties.
Honorific title for the crown princess, used when addressing or referring to her respectfully. Equivalent to 'Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess'.
Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess is devoted to charitable activities.
A woman who is the heir to the throne in her own right, not through marriage.
A female crown prince, i.e., a daughter of the emperor who is the heir apparent. This term is rarely used in modern Japan because the current Imperial Household Law does not allow female succession. It may appear in historical or fictional contexts.
If a female crown prince were recognized, Princess Aiko could possibly succeed to the throne.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'female heir to the throne'. Used when discussing the concept without a specific title, especially in debates about succession law.
Referring to a crown princess of a foreign monarchy.
Use the country name + の + 皇太子妃. For example, 'Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria' becomes スウェーデンの皇太子妃ヴィクトリア. Note that if the foreign crown princess is a female heir, 皇太子妃 is still commonly used in Japanese media, though technically it means consort. For clarity, you can add 女性皇太子 (female crown prince) in explanation.
Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria is the future queen.
Used for the wife of a crown prince in a kingdom (not an empire). For example, the crown princess of Denmark or Spain. Japan uses 皇太子 for imperial systems and 王太子 for royal systems.
皇太子妃 (こうたいしひ) specifically means the wife of the crown prince. 皇太女 (こうたいじょ) means a female crown prince (heiress apparent). In modern Japan, there is no 皇太女 because the Imperial Household Law restricts succession to males. When referring to a foreign female heir apparent, Japanese media often still use 皇太子妃, which can be confusing. If precision is needed, use 女性の皇位継承者 or explain the distinction.
When speaking to or about the Japanese crown princess, use 妃殿下 (ひでんか) with appropriate honorific language. In news reports, 皇太子妃 is common. For foreign crown princesses, use 皇太子妃 or 王太子妃 with the country name, and add 殿下 (でんか) for respect if needed.
Whether to recognize a female heir to the throne is being debated.
Denmark's Crown Princess Mary is from Australia.