Relative of a sultan

EMIR

This title is often held by a prince or governor in some Middle Eastern countries, ranking below a king but above a sheikh.

An emir is a title for a ruler or prince in some Middle Eastern countries, much like a sultan but typically governing a smaller territory or holding less imperial power. The clue plays on the idea of family or hierarchy—since sultans and emirs are both high-ranking leaders in Islamic cultures, calling one a "relative" hints at their shared status. Think of it like calling a duke a cousin of a king: they’re connected in rank but not identical. The answer fits neatly as a four-letter word for this noble role.