A Breakdown of All of Princess Catherine’s Royal Titles Through the Years

Since marrying into the British royal family in 2011, Kate Middleton—now Catherine, Princess of Wales—has adopted a handful (and at times, a mouthful) of official royal titles that represent her senior royal duties across the Commonwealth. And the list keeps growing.

With Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, Kate was given a whole new set of titles, as the monarch’s death spurred a major shift in the British line of succession. And in December 2022, the princess took over a title that had once belonged to her husband, Prince William, marking her first appointed role in the British Army.

Ahead, see a complete breakdown of all the official titles the Princess of Wales has had throughout her years in the British royal family.

Royal titles

Princess of Wales

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth on September 8, 2022, Kate graduated from duchess to princess and was named the new Princess of Wales, alongside William, who is now Prince of Wales. Kate inherited the title from her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who was married to Prince Charles—now King Charles III—from 1981 to 1996.

While Kate is colloquially referred to as Princess Catherine or Princess Kate, her formal royal name is actually Catherine, Princess of Wales. Like Princess Diana (technically Diana, Princess of Wales), Kate was not born into the British royal family, meaning her first name precedes, rather than follows, her title, per the peerage.

In rank, princess falls directly below queen consort, the title Kate will likely inherit from Camilla Parker Bowles (now Camilla, Queen Consort) when William accedes to the throne.

Duchess of Cambridge

Upon marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate was officially named Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge. It was her first and is her longest-held role. She retains the title today, despite her ascension to Princess of Wales.

Duchess of Cornwall

Kate additionally inherited another duchess title from Camilla following Queen Elizabeth’s death and King Charles’s subsequent accession. As with Wales, the Cornwall title is a courtesy title in direct line for the rank of king and queen.

Kate held on to her old and new duchess titles, and was officially known as the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge for a single day on September 8—which marked the brief period between Queen Elizabeth’s death and Charles’s confirmation as new king of the United Kingdom, after which she became Princess of Wales.

Duchess of Rothesay and Countess of Chester

Kate’s regional princess titles in Scotland are Duchess of Rothesay and Countess of Chester—both of which were inherited from Camilla and are exclusively linked to the heir apparent to the throne—per the nation’s long-standing nobility system.

Prior to becoming a princess, Kate was known in Scotland as the Countess of Strathearn and still holds that title as well.

Countess of Carrick and Baroness of Renfrew

Kate’s regional titles in Northern Ireland are Countess of Carrick and Baroness of Renfrew. Though she was still only a duchess, she was known in the U.K. sovereign nation as Lady Carrickfergus.

Military titles

Colonel of the Irish Guards

This military title was Kate’s first honorary appointment in the British Army with the Irish Guards regiment. She inherited the title in December 2022 from Prince William, who has since been named the new Colonel of the Welsh Guards. The princess is the first woman and second-ever royal behind William to assume the honorary military role.

Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm

Kate was given the title on August 11, 2023, by King Charles, to “reflect the close relationship between the Armed Forces and the Royal Family in His Majesty’s reign.” The Fleet Air Arm is the naval aviation component of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. Commodore-in-chief is an honorary appointment bestowed by the monarch of the Commonwealth on certain members of the royal family.

Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards

Kate was given the title on August 11, 2023, by King Charles. The 1st the Queen’s Dragoon Guards is a regiment in the Royal Armoured Corps of the British Army. It is one of the oldest regiments in the British Army and the most senior.

Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the R.A.F. Coningsby

Kate was given the title on August 11, 2023, by King Charles. Royal Air Force Coningsby is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England.

Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the Air Cadets

Kate was given the title on August 11, 2023, by King Charles. The Air Cadets is a volunteer-military youth organization sponsored by the Royal Air Force.

Other titles

Patron of Rugby

On Queen Elizabeth’s orders, Kate was named the royal patron of the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League—a position formerly held by Prince Harry, prior to his 2020 resignation from senior royal duties—in February 2022.

The princess has since visited Twickenham Stadium and met with England’s men’s and women’s teams at practice and training sessions for the Six Nations Championship. Per a Kensington Palace press release, the role has closely aligned with her “long-standing passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide, both within our communities and on an individual level.”

Sponsor of HMS Glasgow

HMS Glasgow is the first of the Royal Navy’s new type 26 frigates and is currently under construction.

You Might Also Like

• 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora

• The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine