can someone explain how royal titles work. why's Prince William now Duke of Cambridge after his marriage?

Question

i am not too sure how to word this question lol... but the 'titles' of royalty change after they get married. can someone please explain to me how does this system works ???

for example... after prince william & kate middleton's marriage, i noticed they're being referred to as duke and duchess of cambridge respectively. also, why do they refer to kate as princess william of wales ?? isn't she just supposed to be referred to princess catherine? how come diana was referred to as princess diana, and not princess charles of wales ?

also, camilla parker-bowles is called the duchess of cornwall, since marrying prince charles. is she technically a princess? how does this system work for second marriages?

sorry if this question sounds naive, but it really confuses me! it'd be appreciated if you're able to explain how this whole system works! :)

Answer 1

YES I CAN!

okay now ... Prince Charles is called the Crown Prince. that being said, when he married "Lady" Diana, she got the respective title HRH ( Her Royal Higness) Princess Diana. when they got divorced Princess Diana lost the "HRH" title but the Queen let her keep "Princess". Now Camilla is called Duchess of Cornwall because Crown Prince Charles of Wales, Duke of Cornwall shares his title with her. She is not "Princess Camilla" out of respect for the late Princess Di.



As for William and Kate, William is Prince William of Wales. Because he is not a "Crown Prince" Kate cannot receive the respective title of "princess". So the Queen gave the title Duke of Cambridge to William so by marrying Kate she may share that title of nobility, making him Prince William of Wales, Duke of Cambridge and her Princess William of Wales, Duchess of Cambridge. by giving her a title of nobility it allows Kate to make public political appearances with William.



If you still don't understand. ONLY marrying a King or Crown Prince will the wife get the respective title as Queen or Princess (it does not work that way if the man marries the woman with the title).

Answer 2

Camilla is a Princess-through-marriage. However, even though she is legally The Princess of Wales, she has chosen not to use the title. She is officially known as HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.



William is a Prince-by-birth. He remains a Prince, but was granted a Ducal title upon marriage. Thus, the long-form version of his style and title: HRH Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, Baron Carrickfergus, Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty The Queen.



Without the titles, he would be known as HRH Prince William of Wales. Catherine is a Princess-through-marriage (like Camilla); she uses the Mrs form of William's titles (minus the knighthoods. HRH Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, and Baroness Carrickfergus.

Answer 3

I know that the Queen gave them the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Im not sure how Cambridge got here. But Im pretty sure since shes married to William Of Wales, she would be Princess William Of Wales. Like when someone is married here like, Mrs. Bob Smith.

Answer 4

Prince William and Kate Middleton got their first royal wedding present from the queen on Friday: the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.



Buckingham Palace said William is now His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, and that Miss Catherine Middleton is now Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.



There's more: The palace statement said William was also named the Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus. Middleton took those titles when she said "I will," becoming Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.



So it sounds like the Queen passes these titles out as she pleases and when she pleases.

Answer 5

Camilla is the Princess of Wales but out of respect Diana she uses the Duchess. Diana's official title included Charles full name formerly as well. Duke and Duchess are the highest honour that the queen could give to William and Catherine.

Answer 6

In response to one comment, I do not think that Harry may be called Prince of Wales. I believe that English title is reserved for the Crown Prince. In any case the last Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru) was Owain Glyn Dwr.

Answer 7

Very simply, because that was what the queen offered as a wedding gift. It's tradition to change titles (or, actually, add one) at the wedding. Prince Andrew became the Duke of York. Prince Edward became the Earl of Wessex.....and so on.

Answer 8

Because the Queen said so. They're given more prestigious titles the day of marriage as a gift

Answer 9

no no, the queen controls the titles. she has them all stored up and hands them away at her whim, once they die, its taken back,



her husband waited 10 years to get his title, so im sure kate doesnt actually have a royal title yet. its just media.



edit.

wow i guess she does, :( thats phucked

her own husband waited sooo long.



look at the society, some woman suddenly marries someone and gets free wine and gucci and a title royal higness.

Answer 10

Prince harry is still of wales like his father