Infante

An Infante (masculine) or Infanta (feminine) is a royal title given to legitimate children of the monarch of Spain or Portugal, with the exception of the heir apparent, who typically holds a more specific title (Prince of Asturias in Spain, Prince of Brazil/Duke of Braganza in Portugal until the establishment of the Republic). The title does not automatically extend to grandchildren or other more distant relatives of the sovereign.

In Spain, by constitutional convention, the title of Infante/Infanta is granted at the discretion of the monarch. Typically, it is granted to children of the reigning monarch and children of the heir apparent. The King may also grant the title to other members of the royal family as a courtesy. An Infante or Infanta of Spain enjoys certain privileges and precedence, though significantly less than the heir to the throne.

In Portugal, before the establishment of the Republic in 1910, Infante was also the title given to the legitimate children of the monarch who were not the heir apparent (Prince Royal). The rules regarding the use and inheritance of the title were generally similar to those in Spain.

The word Infante originates from the Latin word infans, meaning "child" or "infant." It reflects the original status of these individuals as royal children, though the title continues to be held throughout their lives. The English equivalent would be "Prince" or "Princess," although the usage is more specific in Spanish and Portuguese monarchical traditions, carefully delineating the status of different members of the royal family.