As the monarch’s direct heir, Prince William is expected to become Prince of Wales, but the title is not automatic and must be bestowed upon him by his father. The Duchess of Cambridge will then become the Princess of Wales, although the title has not been used in public since Princess Diana’s death in 1997. Their children’s official titles will change and Prince Harry’s children will automatically become a prince and princess under automatic rules created by George V a century ago.
Charles – King
Charles, who was the Prince of Wales, is now King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He is also king of other Commonwealth realms. His style is His Majesty, not His Royal Highness. Charles is also Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England The monarch has been known by the title Defender of the Faith since Henry VIII was awarded ‘Fidei Defensor’ by the Pope in 1521 for his early support of Roman Catholicism. When Henry VIII left the Catholic Church in 1534, he was named Supreme Leader of the Church of England. This was abolished by Mary I but reinstated during the reign of Elizabeth I, who was declared Supreme Ruler of the Church of England. In 1994, Charles, a passionate advocate of religious tolerance, caused controversy when he spoke of his desire to be “Defender of the Faith” rather than “Defender of the Faith” when he was king. However, he later indicated in 2015 that he would still be sworn in as Defender of the (Anglican) Faith when he became king. “It always seems to me that while you’re a Defender of the Faith, you can also be a protector of religions,” Charles said. According to the Privy Council website, the new monarch will take an oath to the Council of Accession that will begin: “I, (his name as King) by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and my other Kings and Territories King, Defender of the Faith.” Charles is now the Duke of Lancaster. Income from the Duchy of Lancaster – the hereditary estate – is a vital component of the sovereign’s income. Elizabeth II was also the Duke of Lancaster. This is only a custom for sovereigns, rather than a legal title. When Henry V, who held the title before he ascended the throne in 1413, became king, the duchy merged with the crown and has not been officially recreated. (AFP/Getty)
Camilla – Queen
Camilla is, as the King’s wife, the Queen. Her style is now His Majesty rather than His Royal Highness. She is the Queen’s consort, as was the Queen Mother, rather than a Queen Queen who rules in her own right, like Elizabeth II. Before Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, royal aides said Camilla did not want to be Queen and “intended”, when the time came, to be known as Princess Consort – a title that has never been used before in British history. But just weeks before their wedding, the government confirmed that legislation would be needed to prevent Camilla from automatically becoming queen on Charles’ accession, regardless of what she wanted to bring herself. Elizabeth II ended years of controversy in February 2022 when she publicly backed her daughter-in-law to be known as Queen Consort in her platinum jubilee message to the nation. (AP2009)
William – The Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge
The Duke of Cambridge, as heir to the throne, is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. As the eldest son of Charles, he has inherited the title of Duke of Cornwall. William’s great-great-grandfather, George V, combined the Cornish title with his existing dukedom in 1901. He became Duke of Cornwall and York when his father became Edward VII – but only remained for nine months after which he was created, and known as Prince of Wales, by command of the king. As the 25th Duke of Cornwall, William is entitled to the multi-million pound annual net surplus from the Duchy of Cornwall estate. The proceeds will cover the costs of both his public and private life. William is not yet the Prince of Wales. He will, at some stage, be given the title traditionally used for the male heir to the throne. But this is not automatic, and William must be made so by his father. The same goes for the Earl of Chester. William has also inherited the Scottish titles of Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Lord Steward of Scotland. Duke of Rothesay – This title of the Scottish peerage was first conferred by Robert III, King of Scots, on his son David in 1398. An Act of the Scottish Parliament in 1469 confirmed its restriction to the heir apparent to the throne of Scotland. Since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the title has descended alongside the Duchy of Cornwall. Earl of Carrick and Baron of Renfrew – Other Scottish peerage titles inherited by the heir to the throne under the 1469 Act. Lord of The Isles – This ancient title, held by those who ruled the Western Isles as vassals of the King of Scotland, was annexed to the Crown by James V of Scotland in 1540, to pass down to his heirs. Prince and Grand Steward of Scotland – The hereditary office of Grand (or High) Steward dates from the 12th century. The 1469 Act confirmed that the title should belong to the “first-born prince of the King of Scots for ever”. (EPA)
Kate – The Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge
The Duchess of Cambridge is now the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. Until the Queen’s death, Camilla was the Duchess of Cornwall. When William becomes Prince of Wales, as expected, Kate will become Princess of Wales – last used by William’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, when she was married to Charles. Camilla was also technically the Princess of Wales, but never used the title because of her relationship with Diana. Kate will also hold the title of Countess of Chester if William becomes Earl of Chester. She is also now the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland – also formerly Camilla’s title.
George, Charlotte & Louis
William and Kate’s children became Prince George of Cornwall and Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cornwall and Cambridge and Prince Louis of Cornwall and Cambridge. They will finally become ‘Welsh’ when William is Prince of Wales.
Archie
The son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, is now technically a prince due to rules laid down by King George V in 1917. When Archie was born he was well below the line of succession for such a title under George V’s restrictions, but now, as the son of a son of a sovereign, he can be an HRH and a prince. Archie was allowed to become Earl of Dumbarton – one of the duke’s subsidiary titles – when he was born, or he could have been known as Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, but Buckingham Palace said his parents had decided he should be simple Master Archie. In her interview with the Sussexes’ Oprah, Meghan, however, claimed that Archie did not become a prince because of his race – even though George V’s rules meant he was not eligible to become a prince. In 2021, it was suggested Charles – in an attempt to limit the number of primary kings – had intended, when he became king, to prevent Archie from becoming a prince. To do so, he would need to issue a Letters Patent that would modify Archie’s right to be a prince. Until that happens, Archie remains a prince, whether his parents choose to use the title or not. If it doesn’t happen, Archie technically continues to be HRH Prince Archie of Sussex. The titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not change. The couple have stopped using HRH’s styles, but still retain them. (Getty Images)
Lilibet
Archie’s younger sister Lilibet “Lili” Mountbatten-Windsor is now technically a princess. If she uses the title, it will be HRH Princess Lili of Sussex. Like Archie, Charles would have to issue Letters Patent to remove it.
