William & Kate's official engagement portrait by Mario Testino
Since Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton was announced, there has been much speculation about which titles the Queen will give them after their marriage. It is, after all, customary to confer a dukedom during their wedding day. (Read this entry about the naming game)
It has been suggested, however, that William prefers to remain “Prince William” rather than be made a duke. “He says he was born Prince William and wants to continue to be known as that,” says a courtier. “He wants Kate to become Princess Catherine.”
This presents a thorny dilemma for the monarch, however, as princesses, traditionally, receive their titles through birth rather than marriage. If Prince William is not given a new title, his bride will, automatically, become Princess William, not “Princesss Catherine”. Although his late mother was often referred to as “Princess Diana”, her correct title was the Princess of Wales. After her divorce, she became Diana, Princess of Wales.
Article: The Telegraph
More Details about the official engagement portraits…
- The official photographs were captured during a two-hour shoot by fashion photographer Mario Testino
- Kate Middleton did her own makeup for the photos, though Testino’s makeup artist was on hand for touch-ups. She got her hair done by her usual stylist, James Pryce, from the Richard Ward salon.
- For the formal photo – which was snapped in the historic Council Chamber linked to Clarence House. Prince William donned a Turnbull and Asser suit, while Kate chose a white Reiss dress and Links earrings.
- For the casual photo – taken in the Cornwall Room of St. James’s Palace – William changed into a Turnbull and Asser shirt and Brunello Cucinelli sweater, with Kate opting for a Whistles blouse.
Article: People Magazine
Related Article: The Telegraph: Kate turns to high street for her engagement photograph outfits
Related Article: The Telegraph: Kate Middleton’s choice of outfit shows wisdom
Other Stories
- The Telegraph: Prince William highlights how economic downturn had increased homelessness
- BBC: Helicopter fleet in RAF Valley, where William works, likely to be sold. Will he be affected?
- Daily Mail: William & Kate planning to take over 71-room hotel for wedding weekend (scroll down)
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- Breaking News: Prince William and Kate Middleton ENGAGED
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#1 by Sam on December 12, 2010 - 7:51 pm
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The article about the helicopter base being sold makes me believe that William’s military career will end much sooner then 2013! Even though they said he won’t be affected I just don’t see him working for a private company.
#2 by AMRAN on December 13, 2010 - 9:16 am
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i am very to know about prince marriage god bless them both
long live queen
#3 by AMRAN on December 13, 2010 - 9:19 am
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he is our future king and my prays for both of them
#4 by AMRAN on December 13, 2010 - 9:21 am
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long live queen
#5 by Carly on December 14, 2010 - 12:30 am
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This is nonsense. Just because he becomes a duke, it will not change his current title. He’ll be Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, like Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, or Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Kate’ll be Princess William, the Duchess of Cambridge. Even Diana was a Duchess, but was styled as Princess of Wales. I hope this isn’t true because it makes him and her look like a snob.
#6 by britishroyals on December 14, 2010 - 6:45 am
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I think the press will call them Prince William and Princess Catherine (or Princess Kate) informally regardless. But those are NOT official names, which is why I understand the reason for dukedom. I do think they’ll end up with one, as there’s no concrete proof (a “courtier” whispering to Mandrake isn’t proof enough in my eyes) that William has indeed refused it.
As of now, William’s official title is Prince William of Wales. Without the dukedom, Kate’s will be Princess William of Wales.
#7 by Carly on December 14, 2010 - 7:57 pm
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While we’re on the subject of names, I also think it’s snobbish to tell people to refer to her as “Catherine” as opposed to Kate. These past 8 years she’s been known as Kate, and that’s how it’s staying with most people. They want to revamp her image and make her seem respectable and more ‘regal’-because Kate is simply too ‘common’. Give me a break.
If William calls her Kate, so can everyone else.
#8 by Dharmi on December 14, 2010 - 10:49 pm
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During the press meeting before her photocall when the engagement was announced, the press asked her if she preferred Kate or Catherine, to which she replied she didn’t mind being called by either name and that her parents call her Catherine. It is the Palace that always calls her Catherine. Besides her parents, Kate has also been called Catherine up until Marlborough, and even signed “Catherine” in the guest book in Kenya.
She has been called Catherine all her life. Nothing snobbish about it.
#9 by Carly on December 14, 2010 - 11:18 pm
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I recall once she was on a plane and someone asked her what they should refer to her as, and she said, “Call me Kate.” She started insisting that people call her Catherine a couple years ago because it sound’s more ‘regal’.
Now all the sudden she’s engaged, and it’s Catherine? She should have thought about this long ago and insisted people call her Catherine at uni when the press first found out about her.
I know legally her name is Catherine, but legally Harry’s name is Henry, and yet they call him Harry. Again, why wasn’t there an insistence to call her Catherine before they got engaged? It’s part of an attempt to reform her image, and what better way to start than by changing her name!
#10 by Dharmi on December 14, 2010 - 11:48 pm
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To Carly
#1 No one calls Harry ‘Henry’
#2 Why all the fuss? Like I said, Kate said she could be called by either name! Catherine is the name the Palace prefers to call her. Just as Diana was never called Di by the Palace and only done so by the press. And as for that Katie Nicholl article ages ago saying Kate asked to be called Catherine, even Katie herself admitted that there was humor injected into that line. If I’m not mistaken it’s from one of the emails she sent to friends. As it’s Katie Nicholl, Lord knows if it’s even true!
I am going to drop this as I feel it’s mundane. I personally have no problem calling her Catherine, just as I don’t think she minds being called Kate.
#11 by Christine on December 15, 2010 - 4:13 am
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Well when I was younger my family called me Christy, friends called me Chris, now I am a woman I like to be called Christine. What Is so wrong with Miss Middleton being called by her rightful name? Maybe I guess some people just don’t like her to grow up, maybe some people find too much into nothing. Maybe I should go grow some Lemons to making Lemonaide!!!!
#12 by clulessbaroness on December 27, 2010 - 11:32 am
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This seems to be a trend in many Monarchies as Belgium, Monaco and Spain both now have laws for this and others are looking to do the same. I feel this would be very good in the long run but in the short run will probably create uncertanitny and all out wars between family for titles that can now be inherited by women.
I recently inherited my grandfather’s title because laws were changed in our home country. A little over a year ago I went from rumours of nobility to a full on title. Such was also the case in Spain where titles were recently taken away from men and given to thier woman relatives.
it has bee a pretty big change so I can only imagine what Catherine will have to do.
What would you all do if you woke up one day with a title?
#13 by Sandmann on March 17, 2011 - 10:41 am
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What change on tiltles will happen to William and Kate when Charles becomes king? How will the confusion of titles go further on with the children of William and Kate.
Will the Queen think about the consequences?
#14 by pj on March 18, 2011 - 4:50 pm
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Hi Sandmann, Her Majesty has the absolute right to confer, noble, royal dignities to anyone she feels merits them. I am sure she is considering the consequences she is usually most thoughtful. Because, the Queen has a history of providing the dignities desired by her children. She might very well grant Catherine, the title of HRH Princess Catherine of Wales, as a present to her grandson, and future heir. With the stipulations that divorce/death may result in a change of the title at the appropriate date. This would be unusual, but totally within the scope of the Queen’s ability to do.
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