Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, will one day sit beside Prince William when he ascends the throne. Prince Charles’ first wife was widely known as Princess Diana, but the Duchess of Cambridge is not known as Princess Kate. So why exactly is this the case?
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, joined the Royal Family in 2011 when she married Prince William.
The couple had dated for several years after meeting at university.
Since that time they have had three children together: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
But in a family of princes and princesses, Kate is not the only one who is not known by a Princess title.
Upon Prince William and Kate’s marriage in 2011, the Queen gave William with a dukedom.
This dukedom endowed the couple with a new name, making them become the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
But this is not the only title she holds.
When in Scotland, Kate is known as the Countess of Strathearn and while in Northern Ireland, she is known as Lady Carrickfergus.
- Princess
- Duchess
- Countess
- Baroness.
In spite of her stature and position, Kate is still not known as Princess Kate.
Typically the princess title is reserved for biological descendants of the reigning monarch.
This means Kate’s daughter Charlotte is able to use the princess title where she does not.
The following royal women, all of which are directly related to the Queen, hold the Princess title in their own right:
- Princess Royal
- Princess Beatrice
- Princess Eugenie
- Princess Charlotte.
© Getty Kate Middleton title: DianaMany royal watchers have been quick to point out that Diana, Princess of Wales, was not a direct relative of the Queen and yet was known as Princess Diana.
However, this was never her official title, instead, it was a name given unofficially by members of the public because of how beloved she was.
Princess Diana was officially Diana, Princess of Wales, taking her title from Prince Charles and his role as Prince of Wales.
To use the Princess title officially, Diana would have been Princess Charles, taking the title from her husband.
© Getty Kate Middleton title: Princess DianaKate, therefore, is technically a princess in this same vein through her marriage to Prince William.
The Duchess of Cambridge is able to only use the princess title as Princess William.
But she will never hold the title of Princess Kate officially.
© Getty Kate Middleton title: Kate Duchess of Cambridge
It is, however, possible she will be named as such by the public once Prince Charles becomes King and Prince William becomes the next Prince of Wales, making Kate, Princess of Wales.
All women who marry princes within the Royal Family are therefore princesses through their husbands.
Therefore Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is also officially Princess Henry, Duchess of Sussex.
