KATE MIDDLETON has become a duchess but not, officially at least, a princess.
Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen had given her grandson Prince William the title Duke of Cambridge – a dukedom being the highest rank in the peerage. As such, Kate will become Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge.
There had been speculation that the Queen might confer a title that would allow her to be called Princess Catherine. But instead, the monarch has stuck to tradition. Her own husband, Philip, who relinquished his princely Greek title before they married, had to wait 10 years before he became a prince again.
And according to protocol, while William was born Prince William of Wales, his bride, who is not a royal in her own right, does not have the title Princess William of Wales, although through marrying William she could technically be described as such.
Explaining the slightly confusing picture, a palace spokesman said: “She is not a princess in her own right. That title has not been conferred on her. Her title is that of duchess. So she is not Princess Catherine. And to call her Princess William of Wales is misleading.” William also becomes the Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus, which means Kate can add Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus to her royal titles.
The Duke of Cambridge was seen as a favourite for William’s new title in the run-up to the wedding. The Queen fuelled speculation by visiting Cambridge two days ago. It could be considered appropriate since the last Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, was a military figure who married a commoner for love.
–( Guardianservice)