Why Kate Middleton Is Not Called 'Princess' Like Diana

Kate Middleton is known as the Duchess of Cambridge and not as a princess, unlike Princess Diana.

Emily Hodgkin, a journalist for Express, said that even though Middleton is not referred to as Princess Kate or Princess Catherine, this title appears on Prince Louis’ birth certificate. On the legal document, she is registered as a Princess of the United Kingdom.

However, the mom of three of officially referred to as Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge.” Since she’s married to Prince William, she is also a princess. But when they tied the knot in 2011, he was given a peerage and became the Duke of Cambridge. Consequently, Middleton became known as the Duchess of Cambridge.

The duchess title is reportedly a higher rank compared to that of a princess in most cases, so Middleton’s current title takes precedence. And interestingly, Middleton’s official title changes depending on where her location is in the United Kingdom.

For instance, when Middleton is in Scotland, she is known as the Countess of Strathearn. She received this title before Prince William is known as the Earl of Strathearn in Scotland. In Northern Ireland, Prince William is known as the Baron Carrickfergus, so Middleton is called Lady Carrickfergus when she’s in the country.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Middleton will one day become queen or queen consort when Prince William takes over the throne. Marlene Koenig, the author of the blog Royal Musings, said that as queen consort, it will be Middleton’s job to support Prince William in his duties as King.

The future queen consort will be tasked to attend engagements, make foreign visits, serve as patron of and campaign for causes and charitable organizations that she feels passionate about. And as always, her role in the royal family will remain non-political.

The official coronation page of the royal family also explains that how Middleton will likely to be crowned.

“Unless decided otherwise, a Queen Consort is crowned with the King, in a similar but simpler ceremony,” it read.