Kate Middleton has an iconic title you might not even know about - and it came from Queen Camilla
There's an iconic title the Princess of Wales took over from Queen Camilla when King Charles became monarch - but she doesn't use it often


There's an iconic royal title the Princess of Wales took over from Queen Camilla that you might not even know she holds - because she doesn't use it very often.
Prince William and Kate became Prince and Princess of Wales in 2022 but these weren't the first titles they received when King Charles ascended the throne. The Prince of Wales title has to be bestowed by the monarch and Prince William and Kate were announced as Prince and Princess of Wales on 9th September. Ahead of this they received additional titles and like so many of Kate's, hers passed from Queen Camilla to her. However, there’s one royal title Kate took over from Queen Camilla that is particularly iconic and fans might not know about it as she’s rarely uses it.
When His Majesty became King, Prince William became Duke of Cornwall as he is first in the royal line of succession, making Kate also Duchess of Cornwall. This was Queen Camilla's principle title after marrying King Charles in 2005.
Queen Consort: The Life of Queen Camilla by Penny Junor | Was £9.99, Now £7.32 at Amazon
Previously published as The Duchess, this biography paints a fascinating portrait of Britain's Queen Consort. Penny Junor reflects upon King Charles and Queen Camilla's extraordinary love story and how their marriage has stood the test of time.
As the wife of the then-Prince of Wales, Her Majesty was entitled to be referred to as Princess of Wales. Instead she was known as Duchess of Cornwall in a move that is believed to have been a mark of respect to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
Queen Camilla spent 17 years as Duchess of Cornwall and is the royal still most strongly associated with this title today. Kate might have taken it over from her in September 2022, but since then it seems like she’s only been referred to by this title once, in part because she does actively use her Princess of Wales title.
The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first joint official visit to Cornwall as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in February 2023. In a post about the significant visit on the Royal Family website, the couple are referred to as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and this was also the case in a lot of the media coverage of the engagements.
Later on in the year Prince William returned to Cornwall when he opened The Orangery restaurant at The Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, though this was a solo engagement. The Princess of Wales hasn’t returned to the county for public duties since 2023 and so possibly hasn’t been called - or used - her Duchess of Cornwall title since then either.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Despite it being one of the most iconic royal titles that Kate has taken over from Queen Camilla, it looks to be one she’s destined to rarely use. At the same time as she became Duchess of Cornwall, Kate also succeeded Queen Camilla as Duchess of Rothesay which is a title she’ll use a lot more often. This is the Princess of Wales’s Scottish title and it’s used whenever she is in Scotland, where Prince William is known as the Duke of Rothesay.
All three titles - Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay are traditionally held by the heir apparent to the throne. Kate is also still Duchess of Cambridge, though reports have suggested that Duchess Sophie nearly took Kate’s title before Prince Edward made a big decision. Speaking to The Telegraph in 2010 an unnamed royal courtier claimed that Prince Edward was apparently going to be made Duke of Cambridge but loved the title held by a fictional character.
"Prince Edward was going to be the Duke of Cambridge, but he watched the film Shakespeare in Love, which had a character called the Earl of Wessex. He liked the sound of it and asked the Queen if he could have that instead," they alleged.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
My confidence 'soared' after I tried the 3-2-1 workout method - here's how it revolutionised my routine
For the past two weeks, I have been doing the 3-2-1 workout method to boost my fitness, flexibility, and strength
By Susan Griffin
-
Princess Eugenie gives knitwear a spring makeover with short sleeved jumper and satin skirt at poignant London visit
Princess Eugenie isn’t a working member of the Royal Family, but she’s a dedicated Patron of several vital charities and organisations.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton is that you? Her floral dress, side-swept fringe and pink blazer deserve a comeback
The building blocks for the Princess’ signature style were always there in her looks and this outfit can easily be updated for 2025.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William to spend anniversary in bittersweet location holding 'happiest and saddest' memories
Just like King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales will mark their wedding anniversary away from home this year.
By Emma Shacklock
-
I’ve been writing about the royals for years - here’s what I predict Kate Middleton will wear at Easter (and what I wish she’d wear instead)
All eyes will be on the Princess of Wales if she attends the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service for the first time since 2023
By Emma Shacklock
-
Remember when Prince William and Kate Middleton broke royal protocol at Easter? Here's why it's unlikely to happen again
The Royal Family might be taking a more modern approach these days, but there are some traditions and protocols that they still uphold.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time again
The Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfit
The Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Prince George will start a new school this year and 'smart money' is on Kate and William choosing this one, says royal expert
Prince George only has just over a year left at Lambrook School and Emily Andrews believes there's a top contender for his next one.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Camilla takes note of Kate Middleton's love of polka dots with charming collared number in Rome
If we had to pick the Princess of Wales’s favourite print it would be polka dots and Queen Camilla just emulated her style in Rome.
By Emma Shacklock