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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
This is where a member of royalty actually takes part in battle himself, especially as commander. This was once quite common, and examples of it can be found from time to time in the [[Truth in Television|present day]]. It is a favourite of epic and romantic tales. A warrior prince can be [[The Wise Prince|a Wise Prince]], bravely fighting for his kingdom; [[The Evil Prince|he can also be an evil conqueror]]. While this character always stands a high chance of being a [[Badass]] it is even more likely in that second case, as the [[Big Bad]] exposing himself requires a certain level of [[Badass|Badassery]].
This is where a member of royalty actually takes part in battle himself, especially as commander. This was once quite common, and examples of it can be found from time to time in the [[Truth in Television|present day]]. It is a favourite of epic and romantic tales. A warrior prince can be [[The Wise Prince|a Wise Prince]], bravely fighting for his kingdom; [[The Evil Prince|he can also be an evil conqueror]]. While this character always stands a high chance of being a [[Badass]] it is even more likely in that second case, as the [[Big Bad]] exposing himself requires a certain level of [[Badass]]ery.


Very, ''very'' common in myth and legend, going back to those [[Older Than Dirt]].
Very, ''very'' common in myth and legend, going back to those [[Older Than Dirt]].
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* Gawain and Galad from ''[[Wheel of Time]]'', though neither ends up fighting for their country in the end.
* Gawain and Galad from ''[[Wheel of Time]]'', though neither ends up fighting for their country in the end.
* In ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]], ''Robb Stark was always close to the action while he was King of the North. Rhaegar Targaryen pulled double duty as [[The Wise Prince]], though he did so [[Posthumous Character|posthumously]].
* In ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]], ''Robb Stark was always close to the action while he was King of the North. Rhaegar Targaryen pulled double duty as [[The Wise Prince]], though he did so [[Posthumous Character|posthumously]].
* It's quite normal in ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'', but Cormyr has a Warrior Princess -- Alusair, who loved to go <s>kicking asses and scoring cool guys</s> adventuring whenever possible, [[Rebellious Princess|even if her family wasn't too happy about this]]. Usually taking some elite troops for good company, but why not...
* It's quite normal in ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'', but Cormyr has a Warrior Princess—Alusair, who loved to go <s>kicking asses and scoring cool guys</s> adventuring whenever possible, [[Rebellious Princess|even if her family wasn't too happy about this]]. Usually taking some elite troops for good company, but why not...
* Let us not forget Carrot Ironfoundersson, the last remaining descendant of the kings of Ankh in ''[[Discworld]]'', who instead of claiming his right to rule ([[Vetinari Job Security|Lord Vetinari already does a very good job at that]], and many, including possibly Carrot, have an issue with him having a 'right' to rule in the first place), prefers to remain in his position as [[The Cape (trope)|Captain of the City Watch]].
* Let us not forget Carrot Ironfoundersson, the last remaining descendant of the kings of Ankh in ''[[Discworld]]'', who instead of claiming his right to rule ([[Vetinari Job Security|Lord Vetinari already does a very good job at that]], and many, including possibly Carrot, have an issue with him having a 'right' to rule in the first place), prefers to remain in his position as [[The Cape (trope)|Captain of the City Watch]].
* [[Animorphs|Andalites]] are a subversion: Their army is full of princes...but their society has no royalty whatsoever. "Prince" and "War-Prince" are purely military ranks.
* [[Animorphs|Andalites]] are a subversion: Their army is full of princes...but their society has no royalty whatsoever. "Prince" and "War-Prince" are purely military ranks.
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* Kahless the Unforgettable and pretty much any Klingon aristocrat after him in [[Star Trek]].
* Kahless the Unforgettable and pretty much any Klingon aristocrat after him in [[Star Trek]].
** Kahless wasn't an aristocrat originally. He became Emperor ''after'' deposing the former ruler Molor.
** Kahless wasn't an aristocrat originally. He became Emperor ''after'' deposing the former ruler Molor.
*** In which case he became a [[Warrior Prince]] by a method Klingons would approve of.
*** In which case he became a Warrior Prince by a method Klingons would approve of.




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* As recently as 1914, Albert I, King of the Belgians, personally led his army when Germany invaded Belgium at the start of World War I.
* As recently as 1914, Albert I, King of the Belgians, personally led his army when Germany invaded Belgium at the start of World War I.
* In [[World War One]], Crown Prince Wilhelm and Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria both commanded army groups on the Western Front.
* In [[World War One]], Crown Prince Wilhelm and Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria both commanded army groups on the Western Front.
* In the Ottoman Empire, much like in the trope in general, the exceptions are more noteworthy. Almost all of their sultans, princes, and top aristocrats were some variety of [[Warrior Prince]], [[Cultured Badass]], or [[Ambadassador]].
* In the Ottoman Empire, much like in the trope in general, the exceptions are more noteworthy. Almost all of their sultans, princes, and top aristocrats were some variety of Warrior Prince, [[Cultured Badass]], or [[Ambadassador]].
* Jan III Sobieski, King of Poland, was elected monarch ''precisely'' because of his accomplishments as a military commander. Those skills also came in handy [[Siege of Vienna|after his election]], too.
* Jan III Sobieski, King of Poland, was elected monarch ''precisely'' because of his accomplishments as a military commander. Those skills also came in handy [[Siege of Vienna|after his election]], too.
* Military historian John Keegan once speculated that being able to have aversions to this was a sign that a culture was more civilized. The reason was that having a lot of [[Warrior Prince|Warrior Princes]] may conceivably be a sign of their valor. But it could also be a sign that the people had no respect for law and order and any prince that stayed home would probably be assassinated. Going with this logic, he notes that while some Roman, Byzantine, and Chinese Emperors commanded in the field, others managed to stay home. While almost all Western European rulers that weren't obviously excused by incapacity were [[Warrior Prince|Warrior Princes]].
* Military historian John Keegan once speculated that being able to have aversions to this was a sign that a culture was more civilized. The reason was that having a lot of Warrior Princes may conceivably be a sign of their valor. But it could also be a sign that the people had no respect for law and order and any prince that stayed home would probably be assassinated. Going with this logic, he notes that while some Roman, Byzantine, and Chinese Emperors commanded in the field, others managed to stay home. While almost all Western European rulers that weren't obviously excused by incapacity were Warrior Princes.
* In Islamic Law a Caliph has to be in possession of his senses. Obviously there is nothing preventing a blind man from handling red tape if he has a good scribe. But a blind man simply can't go to war very easily.
* In Islamic Law a Caliph has to be in possession of his senses. Obviously there is nothing preventing a blind man from handling red tape if he has a good scribe. But a blind man simply can't go to war very easily.
** Hussite leader Jan Zizka (1360-1424) showed that it was possible, though, continuing to lead the Taborite army after losing one eye as a child and the second in battle. Not a prince though; probably more of a [[Warrior Monk]].
** Hussite leader Jan Zizka (1360-1424) showed that it was possible, though, continuing to lead the Taborite army after losing one eye as a child and the second in battle. Not a prince though; probably more of a [[Warrior Monk]].
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* In [[Tsarist Russia]], the word "prince" had a more broad meaning than "son of the king," and there were several princes who were military leaders. Two of the most famous are Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, who with Kuzma Minin threw off the Polish occupation, and Prince Pyotr Bagration, who fought and died in the [[Napoleonic Wars]], as depicted in ''[[War and Peace]]''.
* In [[Tsarist Russia]], the word "prince" had a more broad meaning than "son of the king," and there were several princes who were military leaders. Two of the most famous are Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, who with Kuzma Minin threw off the Polish occupation, and Prince Pyotr Bagration, who fought and died in the [[Napoleonic Wars]], as depicted in ''[[War and Peace]]''.
** This is the reason why the word "принц" ("printz") is now used in Russian specifically for the son of the king (or tsar). "Knyaz" is the word with the broad meaning. In fact, the title of the ruler of the original Russian state (Kievan Rus') was Grand Prince.
** This is the reason why the word "принц" ("printz") is now used in Russian specifically for the son of the king (or tsar). "Knyaz" is the word with the broad meaning. In fact, the title of the ruler of the original Russian state (Kievan Rus') was Grand Prince.
* [[Ancient Egypt|Ancient Egyptian]] kings often depicted themselves fighting in battles and wars that occurred during their reigns. Whether these depictions are truth, propaganda, or symbolism is another matter.
* [[Ancient Egypt]]ian kings often depicted themselves fighting in battles and wars that occurred during their reigns. Whether these depictions are truth, propaganda, or symbolism is another matter.
** One example that probably isn't propaganda, or at least not purely propaganda, comes from the reign of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's most famous female rulers after Cleopatra. Not her though, her nephew, the future Thutmose III is generally depicted as commanding the army while she ruled, even going so far as wearing the blue War Crown of the Pharaoh.
** One example that probably isn't propaganda, or at least not purely propaganda, comes from the reign of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's most famous female rulers after Cleopatra. Not her though, her nephew, the future Thutmose III is generally depicted as commanding the army while she ruled, even going so far as wearing the blue War Crown of the Pharaoh.
* Roman society demanded this trope from the higher classes, and until the Marian reforms their army was based on such a militia. Politicians, though not royalty, were expected to be military leaders, and martial prowess was ideally indistinguishable from political prowess. A surefire way to get a respected and high post in the government was to get a triumph, which required winning a war. (Sometimes winning a major battle could be enough if you played your cards right.)
* Roman society demanded this trope from the higher classes, and until the Marian reforms their army was based on such a militia. Politicians, though not royalty, were expected to be military leaders, and martial prowess was ideally indistinguishable from political prowess. A surefire way to get a respected and high post in the government was to get a triumph, which required winning a war. (Sometimes winning a major battle could be enough if you played your cards right.)
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