We all know him as Prince William or the Prince of Wales, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Royal titles. Royal Family members have had extremely important official titles for generations now. What’s interesting is that the main Royal Family members have more than just one title.
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Game of Titles
When Charles became the King, Prince William inherited several titles from his father along with becoming the 27th Prince of Wales. However, apart from these titles, Prince William was also granted three titles by his late grandmother after he got married.
The three titles are – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl and Countess of Strathearn and The Baron and Lady Carrickfergus.
The unlucky title
Out of which the title of Duke of Cambridge is allegedly the unlucky one, according to My London. Prince William is the eighth person to hold this title which is marred by sadness if history is any proof. Within the first 17 years of the title’s creation, four different people held the title owing to various tragedies. Here’s how it happened:
- The first Duke of Cambridge was King Charles II’s eldest nephew Charles Stuart who died at the age of just six months.
- The second Duke was his younger brother James Stuart who died when he was 3-year-old due to smallpox.
- Edgar Stuart – the third Duke was given this title but he died at the age of three.
- The fourth holder was his younger brother Charles Stuart who again passed away 35 days after his birth.
- The fifth Duke was King George II and then it was re-issued by King George III to his seventh son, Prince Adolphus.
- Prince Adolphus then passed the title to Prince George in 1850 and then it became extinct after his death in 1904.
After that Queen Elizabeth tried to give the title of Duke of Cambridge to Prince Edward but he refused. It was then granted by the Queen to Prince William at his wedding.
Who will it be – Prince George or Prince Louis?
This title still belongs to Prince William but can one day be passed down to either of his sons. Whether Prince George will inherit the title or not would depend on when Prince William will inherit the throne from his father and when he eventually marries.
If Prince George becomes the next Prince of Wales earlier than expected, the title of The Duke of Cambridge may be inherited by Prince Louis – who would get a different Royal Duchy in case Prince George inherits the title.
Source Used
My London: Prince George could inherit Prince William's 'unlucky' title which the Queen gave him as a wedding present
