They comprise nobles who hold the most important historical landed titles in Spain or its former colonies.
All grandees, of which there were originally three ranks, are now deemed to be of equal status (i.e. "of the first class"); this designation is nowadays titular, conveying neither power nor legal privileges.
With the exception of Fernandina,[1] grandezas have been granted with all Spanish ducal titles.
Grandees, their consorts and first-born heirs are entitled to the honorific prefix of "The Most Excellent" (Excelentísimo Señor (male), abbreviated Excmo.
There are also 25 non-title attached grandeeships that correspond to the offspring of Infantes of Spain.