Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, the only daughter of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was born on May 2, 2015. As the daughter of the future King, Charlotte’s title and role in the royal family has been a topic of interest among royal watchers.
When William ascends to the throne after his father Prince Charles, Charlotte’s title and form of address will change to reflect her father’s new status as King. However, the specific title she will use has been the source of some debate among experts on royal protocol.
Charlotte’s Current Title
Charlotte’s current title is Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. She received the title Princess automatically as the daughter of Prince William, who is the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.
The territorial designation ‘of Cambridge’ was given as a nod to her father’s title before he became the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. Now that William holds the dukedom of Cornwall, Charlotte could also use ‘of Cornwall’ in her title if she wished.
Rules For Titles of Children of the Sovereign
The titles of royal children are determined by rules laid out in the Letters Patent issued by King George V in 1917. Under these rules:
- The children of the sovereign receive the title Prince or Princess along with the style His or Her Royal Highness (HRH).
- The grandchildren of the sovereign through the male line receive the title Prince or Princess and style HRH.
- The eldest living son of the Prince of Wales inherits the titles Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester and Prince of Wales.
As the granddaughter of the current sovereign Queen Elizabeth II, Charlotte was automatically entitled to the title Princess at birth under these rules. When her father William becomes King, she will be the daughter of the sovereign and thus continue holding the title Princess.
What Title Will Charlotte Hold as a Princess?
Once William is King, Charlotte will likely be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cornwall and Cambridge. The use of her territorial designation may vary in different contexts.
She will not hold the feminine version of her father’s title, ‘Princess Royal,’ as that title is typically given to the eldest daughter of the sovereign. It is currently held by Princess Anne.
Could Charlotte Be a Duchess Like Kate?
Some have wondered if Charlotte might take a duchess title like her mother Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, when William is King. But royal experts note this is highly unlikely for several reasons:
- As the sovereign’s daughter, it would be inappropriate for Charlotte to hold a lower peerage title like Duchess.
- The dukedom Kate holds will merge with the crown when William is King, so Charlotte will not inherit it.
- Granting Charlotte a new dukedom would go against longstanding tradition that reserves such titles for non-royal relations.
So while Kate held the duchess title as a non-royal marrying into the family, it is expected Charlotte will use Princess once her father is King.
Would Only Cambridge Be Used?
Some sources speculate that Princess Charlotte could be known as Princess Charlotte of Cambridge once the Cornwall designation is no longer relevant. However, this is considered unlikely for a few reasons:
- The territorial designation in royal titles does not necessarily reflect current dukedoms and is seen as more fixed once established.
- Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie still use York in their titles even though their father no longer holds the dukedom.
- Dropping the Cornwall reference would represent a departure from tradition for titles of the monarch’s children.
As Cambridge is now strongly associated with Charlotte’s mother Kate, it is more probable Charlotte will continue using both Cambridge and Cornwall in her title as Princess.
How Will Charlotte Be Addressed?
In direct address, Princess Charlotte will likely be referred to as:
- Your Royal Highness
- Ma’am
These styles of address are customary for male and female children of the monarch. The title ‘Princess’ is used more as a descriptor than mode of address.
Will Charlotte’s Ranking Change?
Currently, Charlotte’s place in the line of succession to the throne is:
- Prince William, Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge
- Prince George of Cornwall and Cambridge
- Princess Charlotte of Cornwall and Cambridge
- Prince Louis of Cornwall and Cambridge
When William becomes King, George will move to first place as heir apparent. But Charlotte will remain third in line behind her older brother George and any children he may have in the future.
Her place in the succession order is not affected by her father’s accession. However, she will gain more prominence and duties as a senior royal and the monarch’s daughter.
Title If Charlotte Marries
If Princess Charlotte marries in the future, she will likely retain her royal title and style instead of taking her husband’s name. Recent precedents include:
- Princess Beatrice remained HRH Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi upon her 2020 wedding.
- Princess Eugenie retained her royal title and HRH style upon marrying Jack Brooksbank in 2018.
Charlotte may use a married surname privately, but for official purposes she will most likely continue to be known as HRH Princess Charlotte.
Potential Ceremonial Roles
As the daughter of the sovereign, Princess Charlotte will take on more ceremonial royal duties and roles when her father is King. Some possibilities include:
- State occasions alongside other senior royals
- Overseas visits representing the UK
- Patronage of charities and organizations
- Military honorary appointments
The specifics will depend on Charlotte’s own interests and areas where the King may wish to see her involvement. Her mother the Queen Consort will likely also serve as a guide and example of royal duties.
Comparison to Prince Edward’s Children
The children of the youngest son of a sovereign have particular title and style considerations that differ from older royal children like Charlotte. For example:
- Prince Edward’s children hold the titles Lady and Viscount instead of Princess/Prince and HRH.
- This was done to downsize the royal family when they were born.
- But as grandchildren in the male line they still qualify as prince/princess under the 1917 rules.
So while Edward’s children have different titles now, Charlotte’s status as the monarch’s daughter puts her in a more senior royal position to continue holding princess title and style.
Public Interest in Charlotte’s Future
As an immensely popular young royal, Charlotte’s future title and role when her father is King is of great public interest. Many already see her as a model for a modern princess meeting traditions of the past with a forward-looking monarchy.
While the title ‘Princess Charlotte’ will remain constant, the responsibilities and platform it provides will transform when Charlotte becomes the daughter of Britain’s sovereign. Many eagerly anticipate seeing this new chapter in her royal life unfold.
Conclusion
In summary, it is expected that Princess Charlotte will be officially known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cornwall and Cambridge once her father Prince William succeeds to the throne. She will likely be addressed as Your Royal Highness and Ma’am. Charlotte will undertake more extensive royal duties as a senior member of the royal family, while retaining her princess title and third-in-line succession status.