Why does Vegeta still call himself Prince?

[Cure Dragon 255]

He's the direct son of the king and I dont see his brother being King. So why hasnt he called himself King? Even if there was Freeza he too is dead... and then came back but that's not the point!

[VegettoEX]

I feel like this must actually be one of the most legitimately frequently asked questions of any possible Dragon Ball FAQs!

No good answer. The two most common thoughts I see out there are:

- "Prince" was the last formal title he had before the decimation of the planet and race, so it's kinda frozen in time there

- He still keeps a fair bit of Saiyan pride and sub-pride of his royalty status is part of that so he keeps referring to himself that way

- There's no population to preside over anymore so he doesn't upgrade himself to "King"

[Jord]

He should call himself The Saiyan Formerly Known as Prince

[jjgp1112]

His entire race and culture was swept from under him before he ever could ever become King. The title as it were would be worthless. The Saiyan race was a thing of the past and Vegeta's Princehood was the last remaining relic he could hold onto.

[SupremeKai25]

His planet is destroyed, majority of his species is exterminated, and the remaining saiyans don't care about following him. He shouldn't even call himself "Prince" anymore and does it just out of ego.

[Grimlock]

For the very same reason Freeza isn't referred as "Prince Freeza". It's an overlooked detail. I'd argue it's generated by the "necessity" of having "kings" in all races (weirdly enough, we don't see many "queens" and "princesses" out there... We are talking about aliens, but even so).

Speaking of which, it contradicts all arguments presented here. For all we know, Freeza race is still alive. And even if they weren't, King Cold is still referred as "King Cold".

(Shoutout to Cooler never being called "Prince Cooler" too).

[Jord]

Technically, Goku should be his subject. As should Broly.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

It's never explained in-universe, but most likely because the Saiyans entire civilization was eradicated by Freeza before Vegeta could become king, and "Prince" is the last badge of honour he officially received that he could hold on to.

An argument could also be made Vegeta does it to spite Goku, someone considered a low class warrior, especially when he becomes a Super Saiyan first.

[Seekeroftruth]

I feel like this must actually be one of the most legitimately frequently asked questions of any possible Dragon Ball FAQs!

No good answer. The two most common thoughts I see out there are:

- "Prince" was the last formal title he had before the decimation of the planet and race, so it's kinda frozen in time there

- He still keeps a fair bit of Saiyan pride and sub-pride of his royalty status is part of that so he keeps referring to himself that way

- There's no population to preside over anymore so he doesn't upgrade himself to "King"

I believe it's his way of avoiding trauma. By calling himself prince, it would acknowledge that his father is truly gone and Vegeta doesn't want to break down and cope with that. So he keeps the prince title as a way of showing respect for his father and to avoid having to deal with the emotional trauma that he's bottled up for so many years.

[Seekeroftruth]

I feel like this must actually be one of the most legitimately frequently asked questions of any possible Dragon Ball FAQs!

No good answer. The two most common thoughts I see out there are:

- "Prince" was the last formal title he had before the decimation of the planet and race, so it's kinda frozen in time there

- He still keeps a fair bit of Saiyan pride and sub-pride of his royalty status is part of that so he keeps referring to himself that way

- There's no population to preside over anymore so he doesn't upgrade himself to "King"

I believe it's his way of avoiding trauma. By calling himself prince, it would acknowledge that his father is truly gone and Vegeta doesn't want to break down and cope with that. So he keeps the prince title as a way of showing respect for his father and to avoid having to deal with the emotional trauma that he's bottled up for so many years.

[Cure Dragon 255]

I feel like this must actually be one of the most legitimately frequently asked questions of any possible Dragon Ball FAQs!

No good answer. The two most common thoughts I see out there are:

- "Prince" was the last formal title he had before the decimation of the planet and race, so it's kinda frozen in time there

- He still keeps a fair bit of Saiyan pride and sub-pride of his royalty status is part of that so he keeps referring to himself that way

- There's no population to preside over anymore so he doesn't upgrade himself to "King"

I believe it's his way of avoiding trauma. By calling himself prince, it would acknowledge that his father is truly gone and Vegeta doesn't want to break down and cope with that. So he keeps the prince title as a way of showing respect for his father and to avoid having to deal with the emotional trauma that he's bottled up for so many years.

Shouldnt it be King? I mean shouldnt it be "By calling himself King, it would acknowledge that his father is truly gone and Vegeta doesn't want to break down and cope with that." The wording is off.

[nineko]

He should call himself The Saiyan Formerly Known as Prince

I second this.

[Seekeroftruth]

I feel like this must actually be one of the most legitimately frequently asked questions of any possible Dragon Ball FAQs!

No good answer. The two most common thoughts I see out there are:

- "Prince" was the last formal title he had before the decimation of the planet and race, so it's kinda frozen in time there

- He still keeps a fair bit of Saiyan pride and sub-pride of his royalty status is part of that so he keeps referring to himself that way

- There's no population to preside over anymore so he doesn't upgrade himself to "King"

I believe it's his way of avoiding trauma. By calling himself prince, it would acknowledge that his father is truly gone and Vegeta doesn't want to break down and cope with that. So he keeps the prince title as a way of showing respect for his father and to avoid having to deal with the emotional trauma that he's bottled up for so many years.

Shouldnt it be King? I mean shouldnt it be "By calling himself King, it would acknowledge that his father is truly gone and Vegeta doesn't want to break down and cope with that." The wording is off.

Yes. I meant king. My wording is off. I will correct it.

Correction:

"I believe it's his way of avoiding trauma. By calling himself King, it would acknowledge that his father is truly gone and Vegeta doesn't want to break down and cope with that. So he keeps the prince title as a way of showing respect for his father and to avoid having to deal with the emotional trauma that he's bottled up for so many years."

[Godo]

Since he was born in a warrior culture and also being a prodigy, I believe that being a warrior and a prince is all he was to begin with, which is why he still calls himself a prince. It's his whole identity.

[Bloodthroe]

A ritual or coronation is usually required in order for a new King to be installed. With the planet and his people dead, there is no one really to give him an official coronation. So the title of Prince is stuck in time as was said.

There is also no reason for him to become a King as he has nothing to rule over aside from Nappa and Raditz. He should have taken Nappa up on his idea to reconstruct the Saiyan race using the human populace. I just mean from his own perspective.

[Cure Dragon 255]

Vegeta did follow the plan, he just knew consent is of the utmost importance and didnt want to rape any women. Vegeta is a champion for women's rights.

[Jord]

Vegeta did follow the plan, he just knew consent is of the utmost importance and didnt want to rape any women. Vegeta is a champion for women's rights.

Huh? What does that have to do with his royal lineage?

[Gaffer Tape]

A ritual or coronation is usually required in order for a new King to be installed. With the planet and his people dead, there is no one really to give him an official coronation. So the title of Prince is stuck in time as was said.

I certainly can't speak for all monarchies, but we got to see a succession play out in our own world just recently. When Queen Elizabeth died, Charles immediately and automatically became the official king. Nothing had to happen to make him the king. He just was. The coronation that took place the following year meant absolutely nothing in that regard, and the UK wasn't without a monarch for all those intervening months.

[Alruneia]

I feel like this is one of those topics where people won't truly be satisfied until Toriyama is sat down and forced by an editor or Toyotaro or whoever to thoroughly explain it
Personally I go with the headcanon that's already been mentioned in here plenty of times, that he's frozen the title in place since the saiyan kingdom is gone. He holds on to what he has, or rather had, because that's connected to memories and history, but he has no reason to upgrade, it would mean nothing.

He should call himself The Saiyan Formerly Known as Prince

Frieza should call Vegeta this as an insult.

[MasenkoHA]

I feel like this is one of those topics where people won't truly be satisfied until Toriyama is sat down and forced by an editor or Toyotaro or whoever to thoroughly explain it

I think the fandom should get over having its hand held.

Can't really become King over a planet that no longer exist