Kate Middleton, now titled Catherine, the Princess of Wales.Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Kate Middleton— her maiden name, yes, but we’ll get to that in a moment — holds many roles: wife to future KingPrince William, mother and senior royal. But what’s technically her title?
The great debatebegins againfollowing the accession of her father-in-lawKing Charles IIIto the throne upon the death of his mother,Queen Elizabeth. Charles then passed hisPrince of Walestitle to his eldest son and heir William, making William’s wife the Princess of Wales, as his motherDianaonce was before.
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(Very technically, according to the experts at Debrett’s, a U.K. authority on etiquette and titles, she is properly styled as Catherine, Princess of Wales rather than “Princess Catherine.” Also technically correct: Princess William of Wales.)
“Queen Consort” refers to a Queen who is married to a King, rather than a Queen who has inherited the throne asQueen Elizabethdid. Elizabeth’s husband,Prince Philip, was styled as Consort to the Queen. Popularly, Camilla will be known as Queen Camilla. When William eventually accedes to the throne, the same rules will apply to his wife.
With the turn of a new page in royal history, we’re breaking everything down:
Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty
Kate Middleton and Prince William.Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty
What’s Next?
In his first address as King the following day, Charles confirmed that his eldest son and daughter-in-law would now be known as thePrince and Princess of Wales. The top title is typically given to the eldest son of the monarch who is heir apparent. The Queen’s uncleEdward VIIIheld the title for the bulk of his life before acceding to — and, within months, abdicating — the throne.
Confirming the retention of their duchy rank, the Buckingham Palacewebsitestates that William and Kate “are now known as The Prince and Princess of Wales, having formally been known as The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.”
Unlike the title of Princess, Duchess is never used before a first name (i.e., “Duchess Catherine”). Instead, the correct usage is Catherine, Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. However, the Princess title is of higher rank and therefore will be primarily used. (Camilla never used the title of Princess of Wales in deference to the late Princess Diana.)
This styling is here to stay, until William succeeds his father on the throne one day. Then, Catherine will be formally known as the Queen Consort or popularly Queen Catherine, as Charles' wifeQueen Camillais now.
From left: Princess Anne, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Prince George and Prince William on the balcony for Trooping the Colour on June 2.DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images
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What about their children?
With the royal transition comes asurname changeforPrince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4.
As their parents ascend as Prince and Princess of Wales, the children are nowPrince Georgeof Wales,Princess Charlotteof Wales andPrince Louisof Wales.
The young royals were previously known as George Cambridge, Charlotte Cambridge and Louis Cambridge at school. Now they will be known to their friends and teachers as George Wales, Charlotte Wales and Louis Wales atLambrook School, where they enrolled together earlier this month.
source: people.com
