It is interesting to note that although the style of Royal Highness came into use amongst European royals in the 17th century, in France it never really caught on, at least not with the royal family proper. French royal princes and princesses did not use it, thinking themselves above it. France took the opposite view of the German system of titles, namely that the simpler the title the higher the status. Someone known as Mme la princesse de Tonnay-Charente, although having a more impressive-looking title, would be of lower status than someone known simply as Madame.