Prince Royal of France
| Prince Royal of France | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms of the Prince Royal | |
| Style | His Royal Highness |
| Appointer | Monarch |
| Term length | Life tenure or until ascension as Sovereign |
| Formation | 15 April 1959 |
The Prince Royal of France (French: Prince royal de France) is the title traditionally granted to the male heir apparent of the French throne. First established during the July Monarchy of 1830 to 1848, the title was re-established following the Orléans Restoration in 1959.
The use of the title of prince royal as heir apparent to the French throne began in 1830, when Ferdinand Philippe, the eldest son of Louis Philippe, King of the French, was elevated to the title following his father's ascending to the throne. During the duration of the July Monarchy, Ferdinand Phillippe went by the Duke of Orléans rather than the prince royal title as it was seen as more prestigious. The title fell out of use with Ferdinand Philippe's death in 1842 and was formally abolished with the creation of the French Second Republic in 1848. In 1959, with the restoration of the Orléans monarchy, the title was revived for use by the heir apparent of the restored French throne.
The current prince royal is Louis Philippe, who like his ancestors, has gone by a ducal courtesy title (Duke of Vendôme} rather than the title of prince royal. He was appointed to the position by his father, Jean IV, in 2019. He is currently without issue.