Queen Elizabethis dead — and there’s some shuffling going around in the rest of the royal family in the wake of her absence.
Most notably, the formerPrince Charleshas inherited the most high-profile title after the death of his mother: King.
As he becomes the third King Charles in British history, the new monarch will abandon his former title, the Prince of Wales. It is expected that his eldest son,Prince William, will inherit it. The title of Prince of Wales is typically given to a male heir apparent. Edward VIII held the title for the bulk of his life before ascending to (and within months, abdicating) the throne.
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With William likely becoming the Prince of Wales,Katewill get a title of her own: Princess of Wales. If it sounds familiar, there’s a reason: Princess Diana once held the title herself.
As well as gaining the Prince of Wales title,Prince William, who is already the Duke of Cambridge, will also become the Duke of Cornwall. With that, he’ll inherit the sizable Duchy of Cornwall, which consists of over 53,000 acres of land and a hefty income. This one isn’t up to the new monarch to hand down to his son. A charter ensures that the heir apparent and eldest son of the monarch would hold the title and the duchy, meaningPrince Williaminherited it on the minute of the Queen’s death, just as Charles did with the monarchy.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the “No Time To Die” World Premiere.Gareth Cattermole/Getty
Prince Williamwon’t be giving up his Duke of Cambridge title — rather, he’ll be a “double duke,” as well as a prince. Same goes for Princess Kate, as the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The couple alreadychanged their social media pagesto reflect the title change, just hours after the Queen’s death was publicly announced.
Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Kate Middleton.Richard Pohle/The Times/PA Images
Camilla, the former Duchess of Cornwall, will beknown as Queen Consort, as monarch’s wives have been in years past.Queen Elizabethshared her wish for Camilla to have that titleearlier this year.
As for William’s childrenPrince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis, nothing much should change in how you address them — yet.
source: people.com
