Prince William reportedly wanted to honor his wife, Kate Middleton, with a special title, but the monarch denied his request. While Kate holds several official titles, including Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Cornwall, and Duchess of Rothesay, among others, there was one title that William hoped she would receive: Princess Catherine.
According to a source close to the palace, William had expressed his desire to continue using his title of “prince” rather than being called a duke. “He says he was born Prince William and wants to continue to be known as that,” the source said. The telegraph At the time, William wanted his wife to be known as Princess Catherine, reflecting her status within the royal family.
However, despite her wishes, the request was rejected by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Royal Historian Kenneth Rose explained Traditionally, the title of “princess” is reserved for women born into the royal family, rather than those who marry into it. While there have been exceptions, such as Prince Harry’s widow, the Duchess of Gloucester, who was granted the title of princess in recognition of her years of service, Queen Elizabeth was unwilling to alter the established system.
Had Kate’s title been changed soon after her marriage, it could have led to similar requests from other members of the royal family, something the queen was keen to avoid. Kenneth Rose noted that William came under pressure not to push for changes to long-standing tradition. While Kate may not have the title “Princess Catherine,” her numerous roles and honours reflect her importance within the royal family.