Look closely at Prince Louis’s birth certificate and you’ll see it: Kate Middleton’s occupation is listed as Princess of the United Kingdom. Prince William’s job status? It’s the same—Prince of the United Kingdom. The titles go hand in hand. Does that mean the Duchess of Cambridge has a dual title? Sort of. Officially, she’s the Duchess of Cambridge, a title tied to a British territory and one bestowed by the queen. But, as a woman married to a prince, she also has the right to use a variation on her husband’s title if and when she pleases.
Still a bit murky? Here’s more detail on the idea. While the “princess” status is typically only given to daughters born into the royal family (we’re talking to you, Princess Charlotte and Princess Beatrice), marrying into the family creates a gray area. In other words, while Kate is officially a duchess (just check the field marked “name and surname” on Prince Louis’s birth certificate where her moniker reads “Catherine Elizabeth Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge”), she has the status of a princess via Prince William’s official role as prince.
In fact, back in 1923, a royal precedent was set when Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (ahem, the Queen Mother) became her Royal Highness the Duchess of York, according to a biography called The Queen Mother by William Shawcross and The New York Times. At the time, a statement was made by King George V’s private secretary Lord Stamfordham that said, “In accordance with the settled general rule that a wife takes the status of her husband, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on her marriage has become Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York with the status of a Princess.” So this all means Kate is a princess? Not so fast...
