Illustrious Highness
Rulers of Imperial States enjoyed precedence over other subjects in the Empire. Electors were originally styled ' (Serene Highness), princes ' (high-born) and counts ' (high and well-born). In the eighteenth century, the electors were upgraded to ' (Most Serene Highness), princes to ' (Serene Highness) and counts to ' (Illustrious Highness).