Did you like Toriyama’s decision to make Vegeta a prince?

[Vynak]

Maybe, but I can easily see the Saiyans having a very rough caste systems separated into weak, mid-level, and elite fighters.

That doesn't seem to be the case in the Saiyan arc. Saiyans differed in strength but there doesn't seem to be any discrimination based on strength. Raditz refers to himself as a "first rate warrior" and had a close camaraderie with Vegeta and Nappa, who were much stronger than him. Vegeta doesn't even bring up "low class saiyans" until the Namek arc.

I'm pretty sure Vegeta talks about being an elite warrior in the saiyan saga when fighting against Goku. I think he also mentions Goku being low level during their fight as well.

[dbgtFO]

I'm pretty sure when they found out Raditz died Nappa and Vegeta mocked him for being low-level/class. I distinctly remember the line "Raditz was a weakling."

They mocked him for losing to guys with such low battle powers. They didn't bring up lower class though.
As the guy above me states, it is brought up, when Vegeta's about to fight Goku, where he gives him the whole deal of low class Saiyans like Kakarot getting sent off to weak planets and how they could not never hope to match an elite like himself.

[JulieYBM]

Vegeta was not a prince during the Saiyan arc yet his character worked just fine. Hell, you could take it away from any arc and it would change nothing about him. Ultimately, it does not really matter.

[ABED]

Vegeta was not a prince during the Saiyan arc yet his character worked just fine. Hell, you could take it away from any arc and it would change nothing about him. Ultimately, it does not really matter.

He was, it just wasn't revealed. It's a nice layer for his character.

That doesn't seem to be the case in the Saiyan arc. Saiyans differed in strength but there doesn't seem to be any discrimination based on strength. Raditz refers to himself as a "first rate warrior" and had a close camaraderie with Vegeta and Nappa, who were much stronger than him. Vegeta doesn't even bring up "low class saiyans" until the Namek arc.

There's an exchange between Goku and Vegeta right before their fight:
{Vegeta:} You should be honored that the ultimate elite warrior is going to entertain himself with a fighter of low rank like you.
{Vegeta:} As soon as Saiya-jin are born, their potential is measured. The trash without much potential like you are sent to planets like this where you won't have to fight
seriously. Basically, you were a castoff!
{Goku:} But thanks to that, I was able to come to this planet. I have to be grateful. But with hard work, a castoff may even get better than an elite!
{Vegeta:} What a funny joke.
{Vegeta:} Then, I'll show you a wall no amount of hard work can take you past!

[DBZ_323]

I'd say it makes total sense for the Saiyans to have a civilized society, they had advanced tech (attack pods and scouters) and they were businessmen (they sold planets). I would be quite surprised if they didn't have some government. And them having a monarchy actually goes along well with King Kai's story of them conquering the Tuffles, it seems to me they were trying to emulate Tuffle culture, and part of that was having a government, and being royalty just adds another layer to Vegeta's pride

[MaxZ]

Makes sense to me.

It's only logical that for a race that values strength above all else, the strongest Saiyan would be king.

I've always wondered why Vegeta continues to refer to himself as a prince though, and not a king.

[Kuririn Fan]

Makes sense to me.

It's only logical that for a race that values strength above all else, the strongest Saiyan would be king.

I've always wondered why Vegeta continues to refer to himself as a prince though, and not a king.

It makes him feel young.

[TheGreatness25]

I don't mind him being a prince. I just wish he wouldn't reference it so much. I like that he used to be a prince and now he's kind of just one of the few Saiyans left. When he goes on his little "I'm the prince of all Saiyans!" rant, it's laughable. Oh, you're the prince of all two of you? Not even the stronger of the two.

[ABED]

I don't mind him being a prince. I just wish he wouldn't reference it so much. I like that he used to be a prince and now he's kind of just one of the few Saiyans left. When he goes on his little "I'm the prince of all Saiyans!" rant, it's laughable. Oh, you're the prince of all two of you? Not even the stronger of the two.

That's why it works. He places value on a meaningless title.