Emperor's Consort
The Emperor's Consort is the role, the title is either
The precise position in the Imperial Hierarchy of these titles is unclear and partly depends on the character of the holder and the age and character of the individual with whom they re interacting. They certainly rank above Archduke and Grand Duke, but their exact relationship with the Princes and Princesses, and especially Grand Princes and Grand Princesses has always been one fraught with tension. Those that are not the children of the Emperor's Current, Legitimate Consort are generally considered inferior in degree. Those that are, are definitely inferior when minors, while a more nuanced relationship is often negotiated when the come of age.
The place of the Consort that survives the death of an Emperor is (if they aren't killed or forced/induced to commit suicide immediately) entirely dependent upon the relationship with the new Emperor - and can be dependent upon the powerbase of the individual's political allies and enemies.
- Author: BackworldTraveller