Imperial Noble Consort

Imperial noble consort (Chinese: 皇貴妃, Vietnamese: hoàng quý phi, Korean: 황귀비) was the title of women who ranked second to the Empress in the imperial harem of China during most of the period spanning from 1457 to 1915.

In Ming Dynasty, the rank of Imperial Noble Consort was only a highest honorary title of an imperial consort.

On the contrast, in Qing Dynasty, the rank of Imperial Noble Consort was considered to be Vice-Empress, making the rank closer to the Empress, therefore, the Emperor was very careful in promoting one of his imperial consorts in this rank while the Empress was alive.

If the Empress agrees to the promotion of an imperial consort to Imperial Noble Consort, it should be in the following causes: [1][2] The title was also adopted in the Empire of Dainam (Vietnam) and the Empire of Korea.

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