Seriously thoughtful Princess Catherine of ???

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by wodin

If that were the case, wouldn't she have been called the Queen's Mother?

I think that you are assuming that there is logic to the way the British name their public offices and figures

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I think that you are assuming that there is logic to the way the British name their public offices and figures

Yes, I had forgotten. Don't know how to spell either.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by wodin

I recall Elizabeth's mother being called the "Queen Mother" until she died, even though she was not married to a King.

She was the widow of King George VI, our present queen's father. It's a case of "once a queen, always a queen".

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I thought I remembered reading that Charles cut a deal - he got to marry Camilia and keep his current position as Prince as long as he agreed not to ascend to the throne - but let it pass to William? [Meaning Camilia would never be Queen?]

Truth or tabloid?

Pure tabloid. It's not a case of "keep his current position as Prince". That title is his by birth, and cannot be taken away.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

I thought that Camilla agreed not to be the queen when she and Charles got permission to marry. But I also read that some felt that they didn't have the power to negotiate such a deal, and that she would be queen whether she liked it or not.

Precisely - that's what I mean. No matter what she may decide to call herself, she WILL be queen, legally and constitionally speaking.

Harry, why do you think that William might succeed Elizabeth?

Just a gut feeling. I think William would be a much more popular king than Charles. He's much more "in tune" with modern society than his father is.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Precisely - that's what I mean. No matter what she may decide to call herself, she WILL be queen, legally and constitionally speaking.



Just a gut feeling. I think William would be a much more popular king than Charles. He's much more "in tune" with modern society than his father is.

I don't see it myself. They only way I see Prince Charles not becoming King is if he dies before his mother. Barring accident, that seems unlikely.

There is the interesting question of what name he'll choose as King. I think it doubtful, given Charles II's reputation and fate, that we'll have Charles III.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by HarryT

She was the widow of King George VI, our present queen's father. It's a case of "once a queen, always a queen".

Does that also apply to Kings or othewise reigning monarchs? After Edward VIII abdicated, was he still a King? What if Elizabeth II abdicats in favor of Charles? I know, fat chance, but wouldn't she then be a Queen who is no longer a Queen?

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by wodin

Does that also apply to Kings or othewise reigning monarchs? After Edward VIII abdicated, was he still a King? What if Elizabeth II abdicats in favor of Charles? I know, fat chance, but wouldn't she then be a Queen who is no longer a Queen?

no, he was a Duke. I too recall it being said that it was agreed that Camilla could never be a crowned Queeen

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by wodin

Does that also apply to Kings or othewise reigning monarchs? After Edward VIII abdicated, was he still a King? What if Elizabeth II abdicats in favor of Charles? I know, fat chance, but wouldn't she then be a Queen who is no longer a Queen?

The Queen Mother's full title was "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother".

After Edward VIII abdicated he was no longer King, but was made Duke of Windsor the next year.

If the Queen were to abdicate she would no longer be Queen, or have that title. But that's not going to happen.

Back to the original question:

Catherine is most unlikely ever to be "Princess Catherine" except in popular usage. On marriage she is likely to be officially titled

Her Royal Highness The Princess William Arthur Philip Louis

When he marries, Prince William is likely to be made Duke. It is not known which Dukedom he would be given. Catherine will then be

Her Royal Highness The Princess William Arthur Philip Louis, Duchess of ...


But bear in mind that this is all made up (with precedents) as they go along. For example, Prince Edward was not made Duke on his marriage (He was made Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn), although it has been announced that he will become Duke of Edinburgh when the current Duke of Edinburgh dies.

[alecE]

Better rule out Henry (maybe not - early exemplar of divorce & adultery?) & Edward (the last one abdicated), Ethelred (famously unready), James (toppled by William), Alfred (crap at cookery). Any takers for Fred?

[Shayne Parkinson]

Originally Posted by wodin

I've read a few very confusing articles about what Kate Middleton’s official title will be after she marries Prince William. I’ve seen everything from "Catherine, Princess of Wales", to "Kate, Duchess of Clarence, Cambridge and/or Sussex"; and frankly I’m as confused as ever. The only thing that seems at all consistent is that she will be "Her Royal Highness".

So I thought, “Hey, I have a lot of British friends on MR, why not ask them?” So I’m asking.

Prince William is styled "His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales" (his father is "His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales"). See this page on The Prince of Wales' official site here: http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/pers...phy/index.html; also this page on the monarchy's official site listing his titles (including "Flight Lieutenant William Wales"!): http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRo...andtitles.aspx

If Prince William accepts a dukedom when he marries, he'll be known as HRH The Duke of [e.g.] Cambridge, and his wife as HRH The Duchess of [e.g.] Cambridge. If he chooses not to accept a dukedom, he'll continue to be HRH Prince William of Wales. Catherine would officially be HRH Princess William of Wales, but would probably be known as HRH Princess Catherine of Wales.

[Sandra Edwards]

I find the topic simply fascinating. I have no idea who will be called what...but I do wish them the best of luck and hope they live out the fairytale :-)

[GA Russell]

Live and learn...That's two of you who have used the word "dukedom". I thought that there was no such word, and that Gene Chandler was in error when singing The Duke of Earl.

I thought the word in English was "duchy".

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by alecE

Better rule out Henry (maybe not - early exemplar of divorce & adultery?) & Edward (the last one abdicated), Ethelred (famously unready), James (toppled by William), Alfred (crap at cookery). Any takers for Fred?

Nor King John II for obvious unfortunate name associations.

I'd love to see Prince Charming ... Uh, I meant Prince William ... call himself King Arthur II. I'm just saying, how cool would that be?

[Shayne Parkinson]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Live and learn...That's two of you who have used the word "dukedom". I thought that there was no such word, and that Gene Chandler was in error when singing The Duke of Earl.

I thought the word in English was "duchy".

"Duchy" refers to the territory ruled by a duke (or ruling duchess). "Dukedom" can be a synonym for duchy, but it also has the meaning of "The office or dignity of a duke" (quoting from the OED). There's also "dukedomship" and "dukehood", but those are in the obsolete, or too much of a good thing, category.