If you were among the 2 billion souls who tuned in to the royal ceremony today for the marriage of Prince William and the “commoner” Kate Middleton, you may already know all of their new titles. Not only did Middleton become what many will call “a princess” today, she’s now a duchess, a countess and a baroness.
Pretty nice gig if you can get it, I suppose.
Not only will the couple be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but they will also be known by several other titles that unite their history and British heritage.
According to a Forbes.com post from this morning, not only is William now known officially at His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, but he is also the Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.
Kate is now Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.
The Strathearn title ties them to Scotland, the land where they first met at school. The Carrickfergus title is one Forbes reports as little used but is in homage to one of the oldest towns in Northern Ireland.
These titles were given to Wills and Kate as a gift from Queen Elizabeth II and were announced this morning via Twitter (that’s a first for a royal family, I would guess), email and the royal website. All three modes of communication weren’t in use in 1980 when William’s mother Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, that’s for sure.
Middleton will not be given a princess title officially because she is common-born, however the Forbes piece speculates many will still call her “Princess Catherine” or “Princess Kate.”
Forbes reports that the Cambridge title is one of high-esteem because of the university there. Some speculate this could be a hint that the Queen plans to skip Charles and bestow the crown of King upon William when she steps down. We’ll see!
Congratulations for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate on the start of their family. Here’s to many happy years to come!
