Dogaressa

Dogaressa (/ˌdoʊɡəˈrɛsə, ˌdoʊdʒəˈ-/ DOH-gə-ress-ə, DOH-jə-, Italian: [doɡaˈressa], Venetian: [doɡaˈɾesa]) was the official title of the wife of the Doge of Venice.

Just like the Doge, the Dogaressa was crowned, made a Solemn Entry[clarification needed], and gave a vow of loyalty (promissione ducale) to the republic upon her coronation.

Formally, the Dogaressa had no political rights whatsoever, and her task was to participate in the representational life of the republic through the official ceremonies and rituals designed to personify the glory of the state.

However, there was no actual law to require this, and some widowed Dogaressas refused to follow this custom, although doing so was considered scandalous.

After the tenure of Elisabetta Querini, most other ceremonial privileges of the Dogaressa was abolished as well: in 1700, she was no longer permitted to wear a crown or to receive gifts from dignitaries.