Kate Middleton to be Styled as Queen Catherine When Prince William Becomes King

When Prince William ascends to the British throne, his wife Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, will be styled as Queen Catherine, according to royal historian Marlene Koenig. This will make Kate the sixth Queen Consort with a variant of the name Catherine.

Kate and Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, married in 2011 and have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis of Cambridge. As the wife of the reigning monarch, Kate will be allowed to use the title 'queen consort' when William becomes king, while men who marry a reigning queen are known as 'prince consort' and not 'king consort'. This is exemplified by Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who was known as the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Consort, but not King Consort, as the title 'king' is reserved for the reigning monarch who inherited the throne, like King Charles III.

Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, have been exceptionally supportive of their daughter and son-in-law Prince William. While it is unlikely that they will receive official royal titles when Kate becomes Queen Consort, as it would be an unprecedented move based on the rules around peerage titles, the Middletons have a strong bond with their grandchildren and are considered stalwart supporters of the royal family.

The line of succession has shifted over time due to various changes in the rules of royal succession. Currently, Prince William is first in line, followed by his children George, Charlotte, and Louis, with Prince Harry, William's younger brother, being fifth in line to the throne.

Why this matters: The styling of Kate Middleton as Queen Catherine when Prince William becomes King reflects the traditions and protocols of the British monarchy. It also highlights the significance of her role as the wife of the future monarch and the mother of the next generation of royals.

In recent news, both King Charles III and Princess Kate have revealed they are receiving treatment for cancer. As the royal family navigates these health challenges, the line of succession and the future roles of its members continue to be topics of interest for the public and royal observers alike.

Key Takeaways

• When William becomes king, Kate will be styled as Queen Catherine.
• Kate is the 6th Queen Consort with a variant of the name Catherine.
• Middletons unlikely to receive royal titles when Kate becomes Queen Consort.
• Prince William is 1st in line, followed by his children, then Prince Harry.
• King Charles III and Princess Kate are receiving cancer treatment.