This paper examines the articulation between rite, myth and identity starting from the quarrels of precedence in the royal entourage. By taking the example of the princes of blood, it proposes to reverse the traditional analysis which makes monarchical ceremonies the reflection of the institutional situation, in order to underline the driving role of ritual of State whose innovations are then confirmed by the legislation. The myth of royal blood is introduced into the ceremonial with the quarrels of the years 1560 which put in competition feudal dignities, those of the Church and that which rises from the membership of the royal family. Gradually, monarchy, by a skilful process consisting in systematically putting the princes in front of all the others, manages from there to affirm the absolute preeminence of these children of France, placed just after the king in the order of the rows. It is only in 1576 that a legislative act confirms this prerogative established in the facts. The promotional operation of the royal family continues with the rise in bastard royal which expresses, through the place which they occupy, the exceptional quality of those which have the honor to belong to the royal stem. The play of precedence thus supports a speech on the incommensurable superiority of kings de France which precedes, and contributes to build, the absolutist theory.