Kate and Prince William’s lives change forever as they receive new titles

The Royal Family’s titles are inherited from one to another following a monarch’s death.

Following the tragic death of the Queen on September 8, the line of succession as shifted completely, putting Prince William next in line to take the throne after his father, the newly titled King Charles III.

Both William and his wife, Kate Middleton, previously known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will trade those titles for new ones.

It means they have new roles within the Royal Family too with the nation, Commonwealth and wider world looking to them in this national period of mourning.

King Charles assumed his new title and role immediately after the death of the Queen, which was in line with the protocols stated in Operation London Bridge.

This was a contingency plan for what to do after the Monarch's death, which was drawn up by ministers and the Queen herself.

What are Kate Middleton and Prince William's new titles?

At the present time, William and Kate's new titles are the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

After the death of the Queen, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, claimed the full title of King by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of his other realms and territories King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

Some thought he might have chose to retain the title Prince Charles as that is what he has been known as his entire life, though this isn't the case.

Instead, the Monarch is known as King Charles III.

For Prince William, he has no choice, as he will at some stage be given the title of his father, Prince of Wales, if King Charles grants it.

As for Kate, she will then be titled Princess of Wales, as tradition dictates, with Princess Diana once holding that title.

King Charles chose not to give that title to Camilla out of respect for Princess Diana, instead opting for the Duchess of Cornwall.

Now Camilla is the Queen Consort.

King Charles will be the one to grant William and Kate their new titles, though a date has not been set for when this will happen.

The Monarch has confirmed there will be 17 days of mourning as the Royal Family and nation prepares for the Queen's funeral.

At some point within there 17 days is when William and Kate will receive their new titles, along with the rest of the Royals.

In the meantime, the Royals have already changed their Twitter handles to reflect the impending change.

Their title of the social media page now reads The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge, with the bio: "The official account of The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge and the Royal Foundation, based at Kensington Palace."

The social media page will likely be updated again if King Charles grants them the Prince and Princess of Wales titles.

The Duke and Duchess title was previously held by King Charles, though he was more commonly referred to by his other title – The Prince of Wales.

How will Kate Middleton and Prince William’s lives change?

Now that Prince William is the new Duke of Cornwall and likely Prince of Wales, he will be expected to take over the duties his father previously held.

As stated on the Prince of Wales website: “The main part of The Prince of Wales's role as Heir to The Throne is to support Her Majesty The Queen as the focal point for national pride, unity and allegiance and bringing people together across all sections of society, representing stability and continuity, highlighting achievement, and emphasising the importance of service and the voluntary sector by encouragement and example.”

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The Princess of Wales supports the Prince in his role and work as Heir to the Throne.

Typically, the Price of Wales represents the Queen, or now King, in welcoming dignitaries into the UK and attending prestigious events such as Trooping the Colour.

Additional duties include:

  • Armed Services
  • Special Relationships and Regiments
  • Working in the UK
  • Overseas Duties
  • Countries Visited
  • Investitures

Essentially, William and Kate will now be taking on more responsibility and representation ahead of eventually sitting on the throne themselves.

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