Letter to the grand dutchess...?

Question

The letter that galileo wrote... what rank would the grand dutchess be today. Equivalent?

Answer 1

This is a difficult question, because "Grand Duke/Duchess" is a rank below the King/Queen, but higher than a sovereign Duke/Duchess. There isn’t an equivalent title to a Grand Duke/Duchess, they are an entirely different rank. A Grand Duchess is the wife of a Grand Duke or a woman who rules a Grand Duchy in her own right. The title of Grand Duchess is currently used by Maria Teresa Mestre, the consort of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg of Luxembourg.

"Grand Duchess" is also the traditional translation of the title Velikaia Kniaginia, which was given to daughters and granddaughters of a Russian Tsar. It could also be translated "Grand Princess". This title was also given to the wives of sons and grandsons of the Tsar where it was considered an actual title, not just a courtesy title. Several grand duchesses in Russia kept the title in their own right after the death of their husbands. "Grand Princess" are usually styled as "Imperial Highness", which is a higher rank than other Princesses in Europe who were "Royal Highnesses."

Answer 2

Still a grand dutchess, just no power.