In the complex ceremonial system of the royal family, titles are not just labels, but also symbols status, lineage, and tradition. With Prince Charles on the verge of becoming King of England, questions began to arise about the titles and roles of his family members, especially his son Prince William and William's wife Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
As the future king, Prince William will undoubtedly assume the responsibility of the throne and will most likely adopt the honorific title "William V". However, there has been curiosity and controversy about Kate's future royal title.
Will she be honored as "Queen Catherine VI" or simply as "Queen Catherine"?
According to renowned royal historian Marlene Koenig, the latter is the truth. Kate will be named "Queen Catherine" when her husband ascends the throne, omitting the numbered suffix that belongs only to the reigning monarch.
Kate's title evolution began with her marriage to Prince William, who would culminate in her husband's succession to the throne as queen. Currently, she holds the titles "Princess of Wales" and "Duchess of Cornwall", which Prince William regained, which she inherited from her husband.
In Scotland, her title was changed to "Duchess of Rosssame", a nod to the country's unique royal traditions.
But how does Kate's future title differ from her predecessor?
Unlike the late Prince Alice Philip, who was made the consort of Queen Alice, Kate would not have been given the title of princess. Marin clarified that tradition stipulates that the king's wife should be crowned queen, which is a divergence from the practice of male spouses being crowned princes.
The historical background surrounding the title of Prince Philip, husband of the late Queen Elizabeth, sheds light on this distinction. Although Philip married Queen Elizabeth in 1947, it was not until a decade later that he was officially recognized as a British prince. The delay in his promotion to prince was seen as a recognition of his decade-long service and cooperation with the Queen.
Going forward, Kate's title will change further if Prince William dies.
If she had outlived her husband, she would likely have been called the "Queen Mother," a title historically given to queens whose children ascended the throne. However, if another heir inherits the throne, Kate will assume the role of "queen's widow", meaning she is the widow of a king.
In the intricacies of royal titles, tradition and precedent are intertwined, shaping the roles and identities of royal insiders. As the Duchess of Cambridge prepares to become the future queen, she navigates centuries of etiquette with grace and awe, embodying the timeless nature of the royal family's traditions in the modern world.
Through the corridors of Buckingham Palace and the chronicle of history, Kate Middleton's journey from commoner to duchess to queen symbolizes the evolution of royal appeal and tradition in the modern world.
As she prepares to take on her destined role alongside Prince William, the world is watching, eager to witness the next chapter in the history of the British royal family.