Loads of people have been wondering why Catherine Middleton is a Duchess — the Duchess of Cambridge — and not a “Princess,” like Princess Diana.
After all, Kate is married to a Prince!
There are a few reasons:
- Technically, the term “Princess” can only be given to a woman born of royal blood. Catherine, as we all know, is a commoner. Discrimination at its finest!
- But rest assured, Kate’s not suffering too much. When Prince William becomes King, Catherine will become known as his “Queen consort” or, more simply, “Queen Catherine.”
- Kate is a Duchess because on her wedding day, Queen Elizabeth conferred a dukedom onto the new couple. Prince William became the Duke of Cambridge, while his wife became “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.”
- Prince William already had the “Prince” title from his birth — he was born to a Prince and Princess. He is considered both a Duke and a Prince. Kate, however, was a commoner with no previous titles. This means that the dukedom that she received on her wedding day is her only title — and therefore the highest title — that she bears.
- Queen Elizabeth has a tradition of conferring dukedoms on her sons on their wedding days. Prince Andrew (the younger brother of Prince Charles) became the Duke of York, while kid brother Prince Edward became the Earl of Wessex.
- Speaking of Earls, Prince William’s official title is “Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.” No wonder people still like to call him Prince William.
