Kate Middleton was thrust into the public eye when she began dating Prince William.
The couple's relationship endured tons of media coverage that only intensified after
they announced their engagement and through their royal wedding in April 2011.
The pair's highly-publicized wedding took place at Westminster Abbey and was attended
by 1,900 esteemed guests, with millions of royal admirers watching the star-studded ceremony
unfold on television around the world.
Since that time, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have welcomed three children, Prince George,
Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and they've been active and important members
of the royal family.
William, who is second in line to the British throne behind his father, Prince Charles,
is preparing to become king in the future, with Kate by his side.
Of course, Kate knew all of this before marrying William, and sources admit that she was prepared
for the royal lifestyle.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People magazine in 2019 that the duchess understood
what it meant to become William's wife and join the royal family.
Smith told the outlet,
"She knew enough, she'd seen enough and she'd experienced enough, so she was very well aware
of what the responsibilities and demands were going to be.
She has the knowledge and the poise."
But Kate's entrance into the royal family meant that she didn't have a say in many areas,
including her title and how she would be addressed.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
But Prince William previously wanted his wife to hold a different title, according to the
Telegraph.
Instead of being called the Duchess of Cambridge, William reportedly hoped that Kate would one
day be addressed as "Princess Catherine."
However, royal protocol stopped that from happening.
If William and Kate hadn't been named Duke and Duchess, Kate would have had to take on
the title "Princess William," not "Princess Catherine," as she isn't a natural-born princess.
Only direct descendants of the reigning monarch can take on "princess" titles.
Royal historian Kenneth Rose told the Telegraph,
"Kate is a commoner and could not be known as 'Princess Catherine.'
However, it is up to the queen what title she gives her, and there have been one or
two exceptions.
When Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, died, the queen gave the Duchess of Gloucester
the title Princess Alice.
This was, though, to reward her for years of loyal service."
As Express reports, royal spectators have noted that Kate's late mother-in-law, Princess
Diana, was known as a princess despite not being a blood relative of Queen Elizabeth
II.
Diana was officially given the royal title of Princess of Wales.
She would have become known as Princess Charles if she had decided to use the title of Princess
officially.
Kate Middleton and Prince William's daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge,
is permitted to use the title of Princess, as she is in direct relation to the throne.
Charlotte is fourth in the royal line of succession.
Some other senior members of the British royal family who hold the title of Princess due
to their relation to the queen include Anne, Princess Royal; Princess Beatrice; and Princess
Eugenie.
Although the Duchess of Cambridge misses out on this royal privilege, she already holds
multiple royal titles.
According to Express, Kate is known as the Countess of Strathearn while visiting Scotland
and as Lady Carrickfergus whenever she is in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Kate's royal title and name are reportedly set to change again when Queen
Elizabeth II dies.
When William's father, Prince Charles, is officially named king, William, who is next
in line to the throne, will take on his father's title of Prince of Wales, a title held by
those first in line to the throne.
That could make Kate the Princess of Wales, a title once held by William's late mother,
Princess Diana.
Perhaps royal fans will then refer to Kate as Princess Catherine, as William reportedly
wanted.
According to Metro, the rules surrounding who can be referred to as "Prince" or "Princess"
date back to 1960, when the queen ruled that only the children or grandchildren of the
sovereign can use those official titles.
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