The Equestrian power ranking system (Peer System)

//From highest to lowest ranked title listed!//
//The Suffix ”of Equestria” in a royal title after the name of the respective princess is technically optional. It doesn´t have to be added all the time but will be in special occasions like for example banquets, political meetings and when they are first addressed to the gathered crowd, or when honorably addressing a princess.//

„High Princess“ (or „Empress“ as an honorable title with the domain of the alicorn named): Can only be held by an alicorn princess specifically and is under no circumstances transferable down to another being. Given that an alicorn can't be born – since every one of them is a primordial goddess, controlling and embodying fundamental aspects of reality with their essence and soul – this title is extremely rare. It is only held by four beings in the entire multiverse:

• High Princess Twilight Amicitia Aurora Sparkle (of Equestria)
  
• High Princess Luna Nocturia Everfree (of Equestria)
  
• High Princess Celestia Solaris Everfree (of Equestria)
  
• High Princess Mi Amore Cadenza (of Equestria)

This title of Hight Princess is by far the highest ranking position available in the Kingdom of Equestria, not merely royal. The title is also unreservedly recognized and highly esteemed among all other nations living on Equus. Whether the ties between Equestria and another nation are friendly or hostile, it is a well-known and authoritative fact that the alicorns of Equestria do in fact litteraly control the sun, stars, moon and emotions with their divine powers and also embody them with their very being and soul.

It would therefore simply be most unwise to fight against such divine beings. Aside from the fact that Equestria is by far the largest, most populous and militarily strongest kingdom, it is also led by four primordial and divine beings with near-omni potency and infinite care and love for their subjects. The fact that an alicorn also has eternal life and has true immortality that can´t be erased or bypassed adds to the criticality of the situation.

The High Princess is also the only royal who may also be addressed as “Her Royal Highness” (HRH). Opposing or misusing the title for any other being than an alicorn is most unwise and strictly forbidden. Yet no pony would dream about doing it anyway as it is simply an act of highest honor to their alicorn princesses. à e.g. High Princess Twilight Amicitia Aurora Sparkle (of Equestria) / Empress Harmony (of Equestria)

„Jr. Princess/Prince“: Can only be held by a biological descendant of an alicorn princess – not any magical spawn they technically could create – and is just as non-transferable to another living being as the special royal title of an alicorn as high princess. The offsprings of an alicorn can be born either as an earth pony, pegasus or unicorn, but never as an alicorn. Being an alicorn is as mentioned a special and unique blessing that can´t be achieved if it isn´t your true destiny and you always have been secretly one. This title is the second highest position in the Kingdom of Equestria and, as the title already suggests, also of royal quality. To avoid confusion, however, a Jr. is added in front of the title of either Princess or Prince. The HRH is also omitted. à e.g. Jr. Prince/Princess Indigo Sparkle (of Equestria).

„Duke/Duchess“: Third highest and last title in the Equestrian ranking system not inheritable or otherwise attainable. It is only awarded to the two parents of an alicorn by default and only to exactly those. Not even other siblings of an alicorn princess can acquire it, even if they are still regarded as high personalities by the general public and nobility and are gifted special benefits. They are, after all, the closest blood relatives of the highly revered alicorns of Equestria. Its just basically unwise to insult, hurt or harshly disregard the closest family of your eternal regents. There is just no possibility for it to work out good in the end…

This is why the rank of Duke/Duchess is also an extremely rare and almost unheard of title in Equestria. Many therefore consider the next title in the power rank system of Equestria to be the next highest after a princess/prince. Nevertheless, the position of Duke or Duchess is not to be disregarded, as it is and remains legally and by power of command the highest position after a Princess/Princess. à e.g. Duke Nightlight/Duchess Twilight Velvet.

„Marquess/Marquise“: Like all other titles after this one, the title can be obtained in two different fashions. The more likely variant is inheritance through one's own noble bloodline to foals. The rarer, but more honorable option is to be bestowed by a princess. With Marquess/Marquise, however, another specific exception is made. Apart from all other following titles, only a High Princess/Empress and no Jr. Princess/Prince may bestow it on a pony as an honoring gesture. à e.g. Marquise Rarity

“Count/Countess”: Having no other privileges than stating that the bearer has a great amount of land, the title is next in the peer system of Equestria. It can also be obtained by inheritance as well as by a high princess as an honor. In the latter case it is also gifted with a great amount of land coming with it as well naturally. Although a Jr. Princess/Prince can also award said honor, it so far has never happened. à e.g. Count Fancy Pants

“Viscount/Viscountess”: Second lowest title in the ranking system and not subject to any special privileges or requirements. Obtained by both inheritance and bestowal as an honor by a Princesses´ of both statuses or a Prince. à e.g. Viscount Doughnut Butter

“Baron/Baroness”: The lowest noble title in the Equestrian rank system without further privileges. Since it is very common, due to the fact that most nobles wear it, it may be bestowed as an honor by a High Princess or Jr. Princess/Prince but is not really considered a "true" honor. à e.g. Baron Blueblood (I think we can agree nobody really likes him but that way he at least is still somewhat of noble status as cannon has it).

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//Directly below the two princess ranks and ranking above all other titles up to Duke/Duchess in decision-making power, Equestria has three other main institutions that ensure law and order. “The High Court”, “Parliament” and the Princesses’ “Ministries” listed in descending order of power.//

“High Court”: The highest non-royal authority in Equestria. Always consisting of seven members to prevent a possible tie. Elected by Parliament every 10 years and requiring high qualifications in the areas of ancient and recent history, law and order of Equestria and of the other nations across Equus to even make the shortlist.

The "High Court" is the final authority regarding extremely important matters that are of high importance but can still be dealt with without the oversight of an alicorn princess. However, the alicorns of Equestria must always be informed of any accepted request to the High Court. Likewise, the royal alicorn´s may take matters into their own hooves at any time if they so wish. They don´t even need to state a reason for taking the matter in their own hooves if they don´t want too. Yet they very likely will give one regardless, as there is no reason for them not too and being dishonest is one of the easiest way of losing trust.

The High Court may annul the decisions of a Jr. Princess or Prince if it deems them to be detrimental to Equestria's prosperity, security or other nations.

Even the decisions of an alicorn princess may be declared invalid. To do so, however, the High Court must have impeccable and irrefutable proof that the alicorn's actions are highly detrimental to Equestria or allied nations. By default, an alicorn princess is supreme over all laws of Equestria and may not be held liable or imprisoned as long as she neither commits nor decrees anything of a magnitude that would pose an extraordinary danger.

As such, there is no history of an alicorn's decisions ever being invalidated by the High Court. Many petitions have been made over the centuries [mainly by dissatisfied nobles], but they have never got further than the High Court's examining authority´s waste bin.

[Trying to detain an alicorn princess or jr. princess/prince without very, very good reason is also the highest possible transgression against an alicorn or jr. princess/prince, notwithstanding an assassination attempt that can be made. As mentioned there has never been a valid reason to imprison any princess of Equestria ].

“Parliament”: An elected committee of just over 500 ponies, voted for by all Equestrians over the age of 18 in quadrennial elections. [However, always in odd numbers to ensure that a vote can never be even]. While not as high a level of knowledge of important aspects of Equestria and other nations is required as for the High Court, it is still no easy task to qualify for the shortlist. With these guidelines, Equestria and especially its princesses aim to ensure that only truly competent and knowledgeable ponies are appointed to the highest positions. Those ponies who really know a lot about the kingdom of Equestria itself and its structure. And obviously also about the bonds Equestria has with other nations.

“Ministries”: Focal point for all complaints, concerns or decisions related to the princesses (both Jr. and High). The ministries also handle most of the paperwork, administration, transcription and amendment of laws on behalf of the alicorn princesses. Usually, all an alicorn has to do is provide their final signature on legal documents. However, they always retain the supreme right to intervene at any time and to interrupt, suspend or reject a process without the need to explain themselves.

Each alicorn therefore has its own ministry (such as the Solar Ministry or the Star Ministry), which is also composed of ponies of their choice. However, as the alicorn princesses themselves decide who takes which place in their ministry, it is unnecessary to advertise. The princesses of Equestria always know exactly which pony is best suited to each position. If an alicorn is offering a position, it can be safely assumed that the pony will do the job well. [Of course, that's not an absolutely foolproof rule, for exceptions do prove the rule, but the chance that a chosen pony by an alicorn is unsuitable is virtually non-existent].

Author's Note

This chapter is also NOT part of the actual story plot and is therefore completely optional to read. Its my basic view of how the power ranking in Equestria works from top to bottom. Not nearly complete or mentioning every single political instance that Equestria would have or need to be a fully functional kingdom. Yet still a collection of the most vital and powerful parts of the Equine Kindgom in terms of goverment, royalty and nobility and their ranks and powers that I can think off. (I´m by far no expert in how a kindgom - or general goverment - is truly run nor do I actually care enough to bother reading myself into it for hours. For me writing is mainly fun and I never was the person to care for perfect Accuracy).

This Chapter might get one or two slight updates eventually - or maybe actually still never. It all really depends onto whether I find a critical flaw or have forgotten to mention sth. that is truly required to write down.