This is why Kate Middleton is not called ‘princess’ like Diana was
Kate Middleton is the wife of Prince William. When the pair married in April 2011, many wondered whether she would become a princess. However, her official title is Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge. Why is that?
Kate Middleton, 36, is known as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge.
She married Prince William, 35, in 2011, and the couple now have two children Princess Charlotte, two, and Prince George, four.
The Duchess is currently pregnant with her third child.
When the late Princess Diana married Prince Charles she took the female version of his title, and was known as Diana, Princess of Wales.
So why isn’t Kate Middleton called ‘princess’?
The reason that Kate Middleton isn’t known as Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine is for one important detail, which is that ‘prince’ or ‘princess’ is not always the highest ranking title.
When Prince William married Kate he was made Duke of Cambridge.
The Duke of Cambridge is a higher rank than many prince or princess ranks, although not all of them.
This is because the title of prince of princess can be used for any person who is the child or grandchild, or even great grandchild, of a monarch.
Kate Middleton: Why she doesn’t have the ‘princess’ title like Diana did
For example, Princess Eugenie, 27, and Princess Beatrice, 29, are the daughters of Prince Andrew, the Queen’s second son.
However, they do not hold a higher rank than Kate Middleton because they have this title.
Prince William is a prince because he is a minor royal, but he is not head of a principality as Charles is being the Prince of Wales.
Therefore Duke is Prince William’s highest rank, and this is what he goes by.
Kate could take the feminine version of Prince William’s title, which would be Princess William, and her full title is Her Royal Highness Princess William, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergu.
However, she tends to use the Duchess of Cambridge, which is far simpler.
If Prince William were to become the Prince of a Principality Kate Middleton could take the major title of princess, becoming Catherine, Princess of Wales, but she may choose to stick with the Duchess title, like Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall has.
When is Kate Middleton due? Express.co.uk revealed all we know about the pregnancy so far.
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
Tags: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, Royals, British Royal Family
