Şehzade

Şehzade (Ottoman Turkish: شاهزاده) is Turkish form of the Persian title Shahzade and refers to male descendants of Ottoman sovereign in the male line. This title equivalent with "imperial prince" in English.

Şehzade is title derived from Persian origin shahzadeh or shahzada. In the realm of a shah (or a more lofty derived ruler style), a prince or princess of the blood was logically called shahzada as the term is derived from shah using the Persian patronymic suffix -zādeh or -zada, meaning 'son of', 'daughter of', 'descendant of', or 'born of'. However the precise full styles can differ in the court traditions of each monarchy. This title was used by the princes of the Mughal Empire in India and princesses called shahzadi.

In Ottoman royalty, the title şehzade is used for male descendants of sovereigns in the male line. In formal address, this title is used with title sultan before their given name, reflecting the Ottoman conception of sovereign power as family prerogative. Only şehzades had the right to ascend to the throne in Ottoman succession. Before the reign of Mehmed II, sons of sultans used the title Çelebi after their name.

The formal way of addressing a şehzade is Devletlû Najabatlu Şehzade Sultan (given name) Hazretleri Efendi, i.e. Sultan Imperial Prince (given name) or simply Imperial Prince (given name). The style of consorts of şehzades are hanimefendi. Sons of şehzades also carried the same title as their fathers and daughters of şehzades hold the title sultan after their name. This all titles are still used by the Osmanoğlu family.

Ottoman used title "Vali Ahad" or "Veli Ahd" (Ottoman Turkish: ولایتعهد), meaning 'successor by virtue of a covenant', for crown prince. The full style of Ottoman crown prince was Devletlû Najabatlu Valiahd-i Saltanat Şehzade-i Javanbahd (given name) Efendi Hazretleri. Title for consort of Vali Ahad was "Vali Ahad Zevcesi". Full style of Vali Ahad's consort was Veliahd Zevcesi (given name) (rank) Hanımefendi Hazretleri.

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