Kate Middleton has an impressive array of formal titles, yet there was one specific title that Prince William had hoped she would be granted, which ultimately wasn’t approved. Before their lavish wedding in 2011, there was widespread speculation about the titles the couple would adopt.
At that time, The Telegraph reported that the Prince of Wales wanted to keep his birth name rather than adopting a dukedom, with a courtier allegedly telling the newspaper: “He says he was born Prince William and wants to continue to be known as that.”
Additionally, William had a particular title in mind for Kate, stating: “He wants Kate to become Princess Catherine.” However, this idea did not coincide with the late Queen’s traditional views, as princess titles are typically passed down by birth, not marriage, the Mirror reports.
Royal commentator Kenneth Rose observed that while the former monarch has made exceptions in the past, it seemed unlikely for Kate. He remarked: “Kate is a commoner and could not be known as ‘Princess Catherine’. However, it is up to the Queen what title she gives her and there have been one or two exceptions.”
For instance, after Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester died, the Queen honoured the Duchess of Gloucester with the title Princess Alice, in recognition of her long-standing service.
Mr Rose suggested that if Kate had been given the title of Princess Catherine immediately upon marrying into the Royal Family, it could have created a trend for other royals to request similar title changes.
Mr Rose commented: “If this happened, I am pretty certain that Princess Michael of Kent, for example, would ask to become Princess Marie-Christine. I should think that there will be some pressure put on him [William] not to change the system.”
After their wedding ceremony, Kate assumed the title of Princess William of Wales, mirroring her position as the female equivalent to her husband’s rank. Moreover, she was bestowed with the duchess moniker and was previously known as the Duchess of Cambridge before the late Queen’s death in 2022.
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