When Queen Elizabeth II passed away, her son, Prince Charles, became King. This led to a series of changes in all Royal titles, including those of Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton. Indeed, the couple became the Prince and Princess of Wales, a title which had previously defined Princess Diana. Kate Middleton wanted to refuse the title, for a particular reason, according to a royal author who is releasing a book on the royal in August that has been called 'revelatory'.
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Kate Middleton didn't want to be Princess of Wales
The former Duchess of Cambridge saw her title change when her famous father-in-law became King, and made his eldest son the Prince of Wales. Indeed, according to a new Kate Middleton biography, she found being constantly compared to the former Princess of Wales 'stressful'. A new biography written by veteran royal author Robert Jobson claims to know what happened behind the scenes. He wrote:
In marrying the elder son of Prince Charles, Catherine was aware she'd one day have to tread in her late mother-in-law's footsteps—but the prospect of becoming the Princess of Wales held little appeal.
Since she married Prince William in 2011, Kate Middleton has been compared to her late mother-in-law more than once, which is why she is said to have considered refusing the title. Jobson explains:
She knew she'd inevitably be compared with Diana, whose untimely death had provoked such a tsunami of anger and grief. And she was right. The similarities and differences between the two women were dissected ad infinitum, and even discussed in the royal household.
The royal author also made a comparison with Queen Camilla, who has never used the title in the time she has been married to Prince Charles, preferring to be referred to as the Duchess of Cornwall, as the other title was so closely linked to Princess Diana.
In the end, Kate Middleton went ahead with the title of Princess of Wales and now it is among one of the many she holds.
The Princess has held several titles
Since King Charles acceded the Throne in 2022, Prince William earned new titles, including the Duke of Wales, but also the Duke of Cornwall, making Princess Kate the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the Princess of Wales. However, these are not the only titles she has held since joining the Firm. When Kate Middleton married Prince William, she became Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge.
In Scotland, Kate Middleton holds several titles as well. She is known as the Duchess of Rothesay and as the Countess of Chester, both titles having been inherited from Queen Camilla when her husband became King. Before becoming the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton was known in Scotland as the Countess of Strathearn. In Northern Ireland, Kate Middleton holds two other titles. She is referred to as the Countess of Carrick, and as the Baroness of Renfrew.
Princess Kate also holds military titles, despite her lack of experience in the army. She was the first woman in the history of the Royal Family to hold the title of Colonel of the Irish Guards, a title previously held by her husband. In August 2023, King Charles appointed Kate Middleton as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm.
Kate Middleton also holds other titles unrelated to the military. Queen Elizabeth II named her Patron of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League, a title previously held by Prince Harry. When Prince William becomes King, Kate Middleton will gain her last title as Queen, or Queen Consort.
Read more:
Kate Middleton: She makes history as first member of the Firm to be appointed a Royal Companion
Kate Middleton: Will her title change when Prince Charles becomes King?
Kate Middleton: Her sister Pippa would get a title whether she becomes Queen Consort or not
Sources used:
Newsweek: Princess Kate Considered 'Refusing' Diana's Title
Harper's Bazaar: A Breakdown of Princess Catherine’s Royal Titles Through the Years
