Why do the media so often refer to William as Prince William of Wales?

Question

At least its better than calling him Prince of Wales, and Katie next princess of wales, since that is NOT what they are/will be.

I know William often uses Wales as his "last name", and that his father is The Prince of Wales, but from what I've gathered, that appellation cannot be used for him. He is just Prince William, and Katie will be Catherine, the Princess William...with no Wales used in their titles. And, in all actuality, he's not even The Crown Prince, since he is only second in line and his father would be "The Crown Prince", IF that title were to be used. Is this right, or am I wrong, as I so often am.

Answer 1

He is always Prince William of Wales, but never the "Prince of Wales" which is his father's title. If William is not made a Duke of some other territory (like Cambridge or Clarence) then Catherine's title will be "Princess William of Wales".



Since most people consider it socially old-fashioned for a woman to use her husband's first name, there will have to be some agreement. "Princess Catherine" violates the conventions developed over the last thousand years, as this style is reserved for native born princess and not a princess by marriage.



One solution would be simply to call her "Lady Catherine" as her interim title until Queen Elizabeth II dies and Catherine is made "Princes of Wales" and "Duchess of Gloucester". It may be the desire of William and Catherine to delay using the more formal titles until they are in their 40's and have children of their own.

Answer 2

His full title is "His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales" Its just how they are styled. Just a Beatrice is "Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York"



When they marry I think she becomes Princess William of Wales. However the monarch under tradition normally gives them a title when they marry so William could become a Duke.



In such a case she would become HRH Duchess of (place).



As his wife she will not be a Princess in her own right however William recently was rumoured to have said he wished to remain "Prince William" and wished for Kate to be "Princess Catherine". If this was happened it would be a big break from convention and the Queen would have to make her a British Princess in her own right. This only happened once to the Dowager Duchess of Gloucester who was created Princess Alice in her right but this was only many years of service.

Answer 3

Because that IS his name. He isn't the Prince of Wales, because his father is. But he is A Prince of Wales, even though not THE Prince of Wales. Same as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are Princesses of York because their father is the Duke of York - and Queen Elizabeth II was Princess Elizabeth of York when she was born because her father was the Duke of York at the time.



You're right about the "Crown Prince" - that title isn't used in the British monarchy and never has been.



The trouble is that the media aren't as well informed as we are. Don't put yourself down - you understand a lot more that many contributors to this site. And even the British press are prone to getting this wrong - though they really should know better.



After the wedding on 29 April, Kate will be HRH Princess William of Wales. Just as the wife of the son of the Duke of Kent, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, is HRH Princess Michael of Kent.

Answer 4

Prince William is the Queen's grandson. As such, he is officially known as HRH Prince William of Wales. Upon marriage, Catherine takes the 'Mrs' equivalent of William's title; thus, 'HRH Princess William of Wales'. She'd only be 'HRH Princess Catherine' if she had been Royal-born.



When he marries, HM might grant William another title, and he would be officially known by that until Charles' accession. At THAT point, William becomes HRH The Duke of Cornwall (the automatic title for the heir-apparent). The Wales titles will have to be regranted to William.



Thus,....

From birth till marriage: HRH Prince William of Wales (monarch's grandson), Miss Catherine Middleton.



Upon marriage: TRH Prince and Princess William of Wales (monarch's grandson and granddaughter-in-law)



Upon Charles' accession: TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (England) and Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland (Scotland).

Later: TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales

Answer 5

At the current time, Prince William's ceremonial name and title in full is "His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter".



He is also styled " His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales"



As a British prince, William does not use a surname for everyday purposes. For formal and ceremonial purposes, Prince William has used the name of the area over which his father holds title, i.e. Wales (as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie use York, per their father, Prince Andrew, Duke of York).



Prince William and Prince Harry are now using Wales as a surname in the military since they need one there.



When William marries, he, by convention, should be given a Dukedom. However, reports are that he asked his grandmother the Queen not to make him a Duke. He will automatically become Duke of Cornwall when (and if) he comes heir apparent. By convention, when he is heir apparent, he will become Prince of Wales, although this is not an automatic title.



If he is granted a Dukedom, or some lesser title as his Uncle Prince Edward was granted (Earl of Wessex), his formal title will become



H.R.H. Prince William, The Duke of ___________ (Cambridge, Sussex, or Windsor (which would be horribly tacky in my opinion) have all be mentioned.



Kate Middleton will become "H.R.H. The Duchess of ______________"



If he is not granted a peerage upon marriage, he will most likely continue to be styled "" His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales". Kate will probably be styled "Her Royal Highness Princess William of Wales".



However, for all practical purposes, she will be called Princess Catherine, or Princess Kate in the press.

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If all this sounds confusing, title and styles are granted by convention, precedence, and directly by the Monarch through the issuing of Letters Patent. Letters Patent trump everything, if The Queen wished that Prince William be called HRH Prince William, Adonis of the Universe that is what he would would be called formally -- if Letter Patent were issued to that effect. And they are taken very seriously.



The late Princess Alice, the mother of the Duke of Gloucester styled and titled "HRH Princess Alice, even though she was not born a Princess. This defied precedence, but it did not matter since Letters Patent were issued at the time.

Answer 6

I have no idea why this offends you as it is totally correct and official.

Prince William of Wales KG FRS (William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is the elder son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, and grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He is second in the line of succession, behind his father, to the thrones of 16 independent states, although he is resident in, and most directly involved with, the United Kingdom, the oldest of these realms.

Answer 7

Camilla is the Princess of Wales yet out of appreciate Diana she makes use of the Duchess. Diana's professional call protected Charles finished call before besides. Duke and Duchess are the utmost honour that the queen might want to offer to William and Catherine.

Answer 8

His father is pence of wales as heir to the throne



He takes his title from that of his father



When he is heir hecwill be prince wales and harry will get a different title

Answer 9

You're right.



He should be referred to as POONCE William of Wales.

Answer 10

Cause, that's his OFFICIAL TITLE.

Answer 11

Satan needs a title.

Answer 12

not so much much