Who has held the title of Princess of Wales throughout history?

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Who has held the title of Princess of Wales throughout history?

Stars Insider

Posted: January 8, 2024 | Last updated: January 8, 2024

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Who has held the title of Princess of Wales throughout history?

Princess of Wales, or Tywysoges Cymru in Welsh, is a royal title most of us associate with Princess Diana. However, the courtesy title has been used for centuries by many royals. Typically held by the wife of the heir apparent to the British throne, the title currently belongs to Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William.

Kate Middleton joins a long list of impressive women. So, whom were the other princesses? Click on to find out.

<p>As the Prince of Wales title has historically been given to the eldest living son and heir to the crown, a Princess of Wales title hasn't been given on its own. For example, <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/celebrity/430970/a-look-back-at-queen-elizabeths-life-in-photos" rel="noopener">Queen Elizabeth II</a> wasn't Princess of Wales. However, with the change of rules in 2013, there now can be a female heir with that title.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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The Princess of Wales title

As the Prince of Wales title has historically been given to the eldest living son and heir to the crown, a Princess of Wales title hasn't been given on its own. For example, Queen Elizabeth II wasn't Princess of Wales. However, with the change of rules in 2013, there now can be a female heir with that title.

<p>Joan of Kent, also known as the Fair Maid of Kent, was the first member of the British royal family to use the title Princess of Wales.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/229779?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> Why Australia doesn't exist according to flat-Earthers</a></p>

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Joan of Kent (1326 or 1327 - 1385)

Joan of Kent, also known as the Fair Maid of Kent, was the first member of the British royal family to use the title Princess of Wales.

<p>She married Edward of Woodstock, who was King Edward III's eldest son, in 1361. Edward of Woodstock, known as the Black Prince, was Joan's half-first cousin. It was her third marriage.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Joan of Kent (1326 or 1327 - 1385)

She married Edward of Woodstock, who was King Edward III's eldest son, in 1361. Edward of Woodstock, known as the Black Prince, was Joan's half-first cousin. It was her third marriage.

<p>However, Edward died before he inherited the throne. Instead, their son, Richard of Bordeaux, later King Richard II, became king.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/238071?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> Banned baby names in Australia</a></p>

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Joan of Kent (1326 or 1327 - 1385)

However, Edward died before he inherited the throne. Instead, their son, Richard of Bordeaux, later King Richard II, became king.

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<p>Anne Neville married Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales, the son of King Henry VI, in 1470. However, Edward soon died in 1471.</p> <p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Anne Neville (1456 - 1485)

Anne Neville married Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales, the son of King Henry VI, in 1470. However, Edward soon died in 1471.

<p>Anne then married Richard, Duke of Gloucester, the younger brother of King Edward IV. She eventually became queen when Richard was crowned king in 1483.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/245149?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> Pop quiz: guess the celebrity from their pre-fame pic</a></p>

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Anne Neville (1456 - 1485)

Anne then married Richard, Duke of Gloucester, the younger brother of King Edward IV. She eventually became queen when Richard was crowned king in 1483.

<p>Catherine of Aragon is most famous for being the first wife of King Henry VIII. However, she was previously married to Henry's older brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Catherine of Aragon (1485 - 1536)

Catherine of Aragon is most famous for being the first wife of King Henry VIII. However, she was previously married to Henry's older brother, Arthur, Prince of Wales.

<p>This made her the Princess of Wales in 1501. However, in 1502, just a year into their marriage, Arthur died.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/293450?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> The brainiest star signs based on Nobel Prize winners</a></p>

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Catherine of Aragon (1485 - 1536)

This made her the Princess of Wales in 1501. However, in 1502, just a year into their marriage, Arthur died.

Catherine of Aragon (1485 - 1536)

She was soon betrothed to his brother, Henry, who annulled the marriage when it didn't produce any surviving sons. And we all know what happened next!

<p>In 1705, Caroline married Prince George Augustus of Hanover. Nine years later, her father-in-law became King George I.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/331668?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> Stinky stars: celebs with bad personal hygiene</a></p>

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Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1683 - 1737)

In 1705, Caroline married Prince George Augustus of Hanover. Nine years later, her father-in-law became King George I.

<p>This made her husband the Prince of Wales, and she became the Princess of Wales. She became the first woman to get the title at the same time as her husband.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1683 - 1737)

This made her husband the Prince of Wales, and she became the Princess of Wales. She became the first woman to get the title at the same time as her husband.

<p>Caroline was also the first Princess of Wales in over two centuries. She later became queen consort, upon her husband's accession to the throne as King George II.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/347986?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> America China and other countries named after people</a></p>

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Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1683 - 1737)

Caroline was also the first Princess of Wales in over two centuries. She later became queen consort, upon her husband's accession to the throne as King George II.

<p>In 1736, Caroline's daughter-in-law, Augusta, was the next Princess of Wales upon marrying her son, Frederick, Prince of Wales.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (1719 - 1772)

In 1736, Caroline's daughter-in-law, Augusta, was the next Princess of Wales upon marrying her son, Frederick, Prince of Wales.

<p>She became Princess of Wales when she married the prince. But she never became queen consort, because Frederick died before his father in 1751.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/366304?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> Celebs who have collapsed fainted and passed out in public</a></p>

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Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (1719 - 1772)

She became Princess of Wales when she married the prince. But she never became queen consort, because Frederick died before his father in 1751.

<p>In 1795, Caroline married George Augustus Frederick, the eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. She became Princess of Wales upon their marriage.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1737 - 1817)

In 1795, Caroline married George Augustus Frederick, the eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. She became Princess of Wales upon their marriage.

<p>In 1820, she became queen consort when her husband ascended the throne. But it was an unhappy marriage, and they separated after the birth of their only child, Princess Charlotte.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/369281?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> Incredible historic images of D-Day</a></p>

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Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1737 - 1817)

In 1820, she became queen consort when her husband ascended the throne. But it was an unhappy marriage, and they separated after the birth of their only child, Princess Charlotte.

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<p>In 1863, Alexandra married Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the son of Queen Victoria. That same year, her father became King Christian IX of Denmark and her brother King George I of Greece.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Alexandra of Denmark (1844 - 1925)

In 1863, Alexandra married Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the son of Queen Victoria. That same year, her father became King Christian IX of Denmark and her brother King George I of Greece.

<p>Alexandra was the Princess of Wales from 1863 to 1901, the longest anyone has ever held the title. She became queen consort upon her husband's accession to the throne.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/381670?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> The most common lies everyone has told at least once</a></p>

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Alexandra of Denmark (1844 - 1925)

Alexandra was the Princess of Wales from 1863 to 1901, the longest anyone has ever held the title. She became queen consort upon her husband's accession to the throne.

<p>Alexandra's daughter-in-law Mary of Teck was the next to hold the title. She married George V, who was heir to the throne when his father became King Edward VII.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Mary of Teck (1867 - 1953)

Alexandra's daughter-in-law Mary of Teck was the next to hold the title. She married George V, who was heir to the throne when his father became King Edward VII.

<p>Mary was initially engaged to George's older brother, Prince Albert Victor. But when he died in 1892, she became engaged to George instead.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/402222?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> All the famous women Brad Pitt has romanced</a></p>

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Mary of Teck (1867 - 1953)

Mary was initially engaged to George's older brother, Prince Albert Victor. But when he died in 1892, she became engaged to George instead.

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<p>In 1901, her and George became Prince and Princess of Wales. She became the second princess to get the title at the same time as her husband. She held the title until her husband's accession as King George V in 1910.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Mary of Teck (1867 - 1953)

In 1901, her and George became Prince and Princess of Wales. She became the second princess to get the title at the same time as her husband. She held the title until her husband's accession as King George V in 1910.

<p>The next Princess of Wales wouldn't be until decades later. Mary's son, Prince Edward, was the next Prince of Wales, but never married while he had the title. He abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, and his brother, King George VI, never had a son. The next Prince of Wales was Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth's eldest son.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/472181?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> Discover the differences between psychopaths and sociopaths</a></p>

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Diana Spencer (1961 - 1997)

The next Princess of Wales wouldn't be until decades later. Mary's son, Prince Edward, was the next Prince of Wales, but never married while he had the title. He abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, and his brother, King George VI, never had a son. The next Prince of Wales was Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth's eldest son.

<p>Diana became Princess of Wales upon their marriage in 1981. And though they divorced in 1996, she was still styled Princess of Wales until she passed away.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Diana Spencer (1961 - 1997)

Diana became Princess of Wales upon their marriage in 1981. And though they divorced in 1996, she was still styled Princess of Wales until she passed away.

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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall technically had the title Princess of Wales from her marriage to Prince Charles until his accession to the throne.

<p>But due to the popular association with Princess Diana, the now-queen consort was instead styled as the Duchess of Cornwall.</p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

But due to the popular association with Princess Diana, the now-queen consort was instead styled as the Duchess of Cornwall.

<p>Formerly the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate became the Princess of Wales upon her father-in-law's accession to the throne, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.</p><p>You may also like:<a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/n/501138?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=referral_description&utm_content=517522en-us"> The best hobby for you based on your zodiac sign</a></p>

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Kate Middleton

Formerly the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate became the Princess of Wales upon her father-in-law's accession to the throne, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

<p>She became the third Princess of Wales in history to get the title at the same time as her husband, Prince William. </p><p>Sources: (<a href="https://harpersbazaar.com.au/princess-of-wales-title-history/#:~:text=Before%20the%20spouse%20of%20the,known%20as%20Llywelyn%20the%20Last)." rel="noopener">Harper's Bazaar</a>) (<a href="https://www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/princess-of-wales-title/" rel="noopener">Women & Home</a>)</p><p>See also: <a href="https://www.starsinsider.com/celebrity/509373/royals-before-marrying-into-royalty">Royals before marrying into royalty</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-7xx8mnucu55yw63we9va2gwr7uihbxwc68fxqp25x6tg4ftibpra?cvid=94631541bc0f4f89bfd59158d696ad7e">Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday</a></p>

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Kate Middleton

She became the third Princess of Wales in history to get the title at the same time as her husband, Prince William.

Sources: (Harper's Bazaar) (Women & Home)

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