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Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Royal Titles Officially Declared by King Charles III

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Updated on June 30, 2023

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In a significant announcement, King Charles III has officially declared the new royal titles for his son, Prince William, and his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton.

The traditional title of Prince of Wales, which is held by the heir to the throne, has been bestowed upon Prince William, just one day after he ascended to the role of monarch.

Alongside this, Kate Middleton has been granted the title of Princess of Wales.

These titles have now been confirmed and recognized by the Crown Office.

On September 8, 2022, following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III delivered his inaugural speech as the new monarch of the United Kingdom.

These letters patent, dated February 13, 2023, create His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cornwall-Rothesay and Cambridge, Earl of Carrick and Strathern, Baron of Renfrew, Baron Carrick-Fergus, KG, KT, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester.

It is worth mentioning that Prince William, aged 40, and Kate, aged 41, were previously bestowed the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by Queen Elizabeth on their wedding day in 2011.

With these titles, they also became Earl and Countess of Strathern, as well as Baron and Baroness of Carrick-Fergus.

However, these additional titles are not commonly used.

Following Queen Elizabeth’s passing, William and Kate’s social media accounts were updated to reflect their new titles as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

The title of Duke of Cornwall has traditionally been held by the monarch’s eldest son, while his wife receives the title of Duchess.

Furthermore, Prince William and Kate have also inherited the titles of Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, which were previously held by Charles and Camilla, and are used when they are in Scotland.

Their original title of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge remains intact.

However, it is important to note that the title of Prince of Wales is not automatically granted and must be conferred by the reigning monarch.

According to the Royal Collection Trust, a legal instrument called a patent of letters is used to express the monarch’s will, such as the granting of an office or the creation of a new peerage.

In this case, the letters patent officially declare Prince William as the Prince of Wales.

In addition to becoming Prince of Wales, the letters patent also include the awarding of the title of Earl of Chester to Prince William.

Consequently, Kate Middleton assumes the title of Countess of Chester.

It is worth mentioning that King Charles III, aged 74, was only three years old when his mother, Queen Elizabeth, ascended to the throne.

He was not formally declared Prince of Wales until the age of nine.

The installation ceremony for the Prince of Wales took place at Caernarfon Castle in 1969 when Charles was 20.