He is called regulus (rather than rex used for García) and quasi pro rege (acting as if king) in charters from Navarre.

[2] Due to his growing independence and the small size of his Pyrenean holdings, he is sometimes called a "petty king", Aragon a "pocket kingdom".

In 1043, apparently with the approval of García, he annexed Sobrarbe and Ribagorza, previously held by his youngest legitimate half-brother, Gonzalo.

It included well defined laws of protection even to non-residents, and would set an example for urban rights until late in the Middle Ages.

Before he was married, Ramiro had a mistress named Amuña (Amunna) with whom he had an illegitimate son, Sancho,[5] in whom he confided the government of the county of Ribagorza.