Most Faithful Majesty () was the title used by the Portuguese monarchs, from 1748 to 1910. The sobriquet Most Faithful King (, ) was a title awarded by the Pope Benedict XIV – as spiritual head of the Catholic Church – in 1748, to the King John V of Portugal and to his heirs. The title remains attached to monarchs descended from whoever received the original sobriquet. The sobriquet can be awarded to either a king or a queen. The only European monarchy that has received the sobriquet was the now-defunct monarchy of Portugal. Similar titles The monarchs of other countries have received similar titles from the pope: Hungary: Apostolic Majesty (awarded ) Venice: Most Serene Republic France: Most Christian Majesty (awarded ) Spain: Most Catholic Majesty (awarded in 1493) England: Defender of the Faith (awarded in 1521 and revoked again c. 1530 by the Pope. Granted again in 1543 by the Parliament of England.) Germany: Defensor Ecclesiae (Protector of the Church; awarded to Holy Roman Emperors) References Royal styles Superlatives in religion