WITH the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, some members of the Royal Family have seen their official titles change.
Kate Middleton, previously Duchess of Cambridge, is one of the royals now known by a new title.
Why is Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton now the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge?
Kate Middleton’s husband Prince William has taken his father’s place as heir to the throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II..
Kensington Palace confirmed on September 8, 2022, that his new title would be Prince William, Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge.
This means his wife is now officially known as Catherine, Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
The title of Prince and Princess of Wales does not automatically pass to Prince William and Kate, and must be conferred by his father, King Charles, though this is expected to take place in the future.
Kate Middleton now goes by the title of the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge
However, Kate has gained a new title after Prince William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall from his father, which has meant Kate is now the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
The new King held the title of Duke of Cornwall for nearly 70 years following his mother’s accession to the throne in 1952.
Who is the new Duchess of Cambridge?
Kate Middleton is still the Duchess of Cambridge, after having been given the title on her marriage to Prince William in 2011.
Rather than giving up the title, William’s Duchy of Cambridge has merged with his new titles as Duke of Cornwall.
Therefore, the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will not be passed on until William becomes King.
At that point the duchy can be inherited, most likely by William and Kate’s eldest son, Prince George.
If William is King when Prince George marries, he can decide to grant his son the title, meaning Prince George’s future wife could become the new Duchess of Cambridge.
Who has been Princess of Wales?
The title of Princess of Wales was famously used by Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana, but was not taken by Camilla when she married Charles.
It is likely this title will be passed on by King Charles, meaning Prince William will become Prince of Wales, and Kate will become Princess of Wales.
In the future, when Prince William becomes King, Kate Middleton will be known as Queen Consort, a role that she is reportedly already preparing for.
Her first son, Prince George, will inherit his father’s dukedoms and become first in line to the throne.
When in Scotland, Kate was known as the Countess of Strathearn and while in Northern Ireland, she was known as Lady Carrickfergus.
