What Titles Will Prince William and Kate Middleton's Children Hold Upon His Ascension to the Throne?

Explaining the New Titles William and Kate's Kids Get After He Becomes King

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge. Samir Hussein/WireImage

When Prince William becomes king, not only will his title change, but also the titles of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis will be updated.

As the eldest child of William and Princess Kate Middleton, Prince George's new title will most likely be straightforward. He is expected to become the Prince of Wales when his father becomes the king, inheriting William's title right away. This title is reserved for the heir apparent, and King Charles III passed it on to William when he became the sovereign in September 2022.

"The title of Prince of Wales is not automatically given to the heir to the throne," explained royal historian Gareth Russell in an exclusive interview with We in September 2022, shortly after Queen Elizabeth II's passing. He noted that the title has been in existence since the 13th century and was a gesture of support for William and Catherine from Charles.

Although not a certainty, it is probable that William will pass on the title to George. The titles for George's siblings, on the other hand, remain uncertain.

Charlotte is next in line to inherit Princess Anne's title of Princess Royal. However, this may not happen at the same time as William becoming king. The title of Princess Royal is traditionally held by the monarch's oldest daughter for life. If William becomes king while Anne is still alive, Charlotte will have to wait until Anne passes away to receive the title.

Charlotte would become the eighth woman to hold the title of Princess Royal, but it is not a guaranteed position. Princess Anne only became Princess Royal in 1987 when Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the title upon her. Before that, the title had been vacant for 20 years.

Explaining the New Titles William and Kate's Kids Get After He Becomes King

Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. Karwai Tang/WireImage

Prince Louis could potentially become the Duke of York in the future, a title currently held by Prince Andrew, who is the monarch's second son. Since Andrew is still alive, the title has not been passed to Prince Harry. If William becomes king before Andrew's passing, it is unlikely that Louis would receive the title immediately.

In a surprising move in April 2024, Charles appointed Kate as the Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour, making her the first Royal Companion ever named to this prestigious order.

Explaining the New Titles William and Kate's Kids Get After He Becomes King

Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William. Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Just weeks after Russell shared with Us that he believed Charles would be more likely to give out titles compared to his late mother, the move was made. With fewer working royals, Charles was expected to be more generous with titles.

In an interview in April 2024, Russell mentioned that Queen Elizabeth II was conservative when it came to titles, sticking to the approach of her parents. On the other hand, Charles III is a bit more relaxed in this regard. Russell also predicted that William would be even more flexible in awarding and changing titles.

Editor's P/S:

The future titles of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have sparked speculation and anticipation within the royal family and the public alike. As Prince William prepares to ascend to the throne, the titles held by his children will reflect their positions within the monarchy. While Prince George is expected to inherit the title of Prince of Wales as the heir apparent, the titles for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis remain uncertain.

The article highlights the historical significance of the title Princess Royal, which has traditionally been bestowed upon the monarch's eldest daughter. However, whether Princess Charlotte will receive this title immediately upon William's accession to the throne depends on the longevity of Princess Anne, who currently holds the title. Similarly, Prince Louis may inherit the title of Duke of York, currently held by Prince Andrew, but this too is contingent upon Andrew's passing. The article also notes that King Charles III has shown a willingness to be more generous with titles compared to his predecessors, suggesting that Prince William may have more flexibility in awarding and changing titles in the future.