Princess Charlotte Could Inherit This Super Rare Royal Title

Stacey Leasca
Updated

It can be tough being the middle child. Just ask Princess Charlotte.

The adorable daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, won’t be the ruler of the United Kingdom. That role will most likely go to her big brother, Prince George. And, she’s no longer the adorable baby in the family that everyone dotes over. That role now belongs to her little brother, Prince Louis.

But, there’s one thing Princess Charlotte will get one day that her brothers won't: A totally badass title.

When Princess Charlotte was born, she was given the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge. She will carry this title until her father takes over the throne after her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and her grandfather, Prince Charles, and her great-aunt Princess Anne all pass away.

At that time, Princess Charlotte will likely take over the title of Princess Royal, a title currently held by Princess Anne.

The title of Princess Royal doesn’t come with any real duties attached. Instead, it was created to make the first-born royal female in a family feel special.

“The title of Princess Royal is traditionally bestowed on the eldest daughter of the monarch," Duncan Larcombe, royal expert, and author of “Prince Harry: The Inside Story,” told Town and Country. "It is a title that remains for life, so Princess Charlotte will have to wait at least until the death of the current Princess Royal.”

The title has existed since 1642 when King Charles I's wife Queen Henrietta created it for her daughter, Mary, who held the title until 1660. As People reported, there have only ever been seven Princess Royals in history, making the title not only cool but also rare.

The title does come with a catch: No one can simply inherit the title. In fact, the Queen waited until 1987, when Princess Anne turned 36, to bestow the title upon her. And Prince William will ultimately decide whether or not his daughter is worthy of the title as well. But it’s fair to say odds are in her favor.