Britannia is an absolute monarchy ruled by its Emperor, who traditionally hands out power and administrative control to the members of the imperial family, thus family members usually hold the highest political and military positions within the Empire. The prince and princesses are ordered by number, which is determined by the status of their mothers, the imperial consorts. For example, Clovis is the Third Prince while Lelouch is the Eleventh Prince. The numbering of the imperial princes and princesses is sorted by gender. For example, Euphemia is the Third Princess and Clovis is the Third Prince. The princes and princesses use the same surname prefix as their mother. Members of the imperial family are able to elect a personal guardian called a "Knight," who are given authority and placed directly under their command, with their own unit. Cornelia's Knight is Guilford who, along with her, commands a unit of "Gloucesters".