Prince William officially engaged to Kate Middleton
- Thread starter Candlelight
- Start date
As is my understanding, no she wouldn't be. Since her title of princess of Wales is tied to the Prince's title, she would most likely lose the title if he died. The crown would then go to Prince Harry.
Not quite. She would still be a Princess even if William died, provided it's after the wedding. Whether it's Princess of Wales isn't for certain, as I don't think they've decided what title she will take after the wedding. The Queen could make her Princess of Wales, but it's not automatic (remember: Charles, not William, is the current Prince of Wales... William is just Prince William of Wales, there's a difference between that and the Prince of Wales). It's also possible that William will be made Duke of Cambridge, Cumberland or Clarence (the last is unlikely; the history of that title is not... pleasant) as all three are currently vacant and it's usually traditional for a high-ranking Prince to get a Dukedom on marriage in which case she would be Princess Catherine, Duchess of whateverplaceitis.
I think she'd also have to prefix "Dowager" to title once William died, but am not entirely sure about that. It's got something to do with whether someone else inherits the title or not. So if they had kids, the eldest male would become the Duke of wherever, and she would be the Dowager Duchess.
However, you're quite right that the crown would go to Harry if they hadn't had male kids yet. The succession is by a modified male-preference primogeniture system, so the eldest male via the male line takes the crown. If there were no other male descendants (including via brothers of the deceased) available, women can inherit the title (that's how Elizabeth became the current Queen), but as Kate will be marrying in, there's no way she herself can become Monarch.
If she has a male child with William, and William accedes to the throne, but then dies before Catherine, the male child would become King, and she would switch from being Queen to become the Queen Mother (or Queen Dowager).
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That's how I understand it too. Diana, though commonly referred ro as "Princess Diana" was never a Princess. You must be born a Princess to be a Princess. While married she was "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales." I believe Kate would be something like "HRH Princess William of Wales." Unless William is given a Dukedom. In any event she gets to the title HRH and the female form of Williams title. And since she is not a blood member of the Royal Family she has no claim to the throne.
Diana was a Princess, but not a Princess that could inherit in her own right. Princess by marriage is still a Princess. It just doesn't come with a place in the order of succession. The French used to distinguish between the two types by using "Prince/Princess of the Blood" for those who were of the bloodline of the Royal House but the British system doesn't explicitly use this title, though the same basic rule applies. So Catherine would be a Princess, but not a Princess of the Blood.
I consider myself a princess, thank you very much.
I'm totally imagining Mulder saying that now. And it works.
I think if I could choose a title, I'd pick Margrave or the English equivalent of Marcher Lord. Either that, or Exarch. Why? Because they sound AWESOME.
Ah, thanks for the clarification. You Brits and your arcane rules.
So, sidious, if you're a princess, can i be your prince?
Sure, the family all says they like Kate, but of course they would - if they picked her out.
In other news from 1947, I hear the Empire is planning to finally grant India independence.
Some things never change.
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I'm excited for the both of them, and I do hope they have a long and happy marriage.
And what happens if some guy shows up wielding Excalibur?
Sounds like the title of the evil female ruler in a D&D setting.
"I am the Princess of the Blood, kneel before me or DIE!!!"
Sure, the family all says they like Kate, but of course they would - if they picked her out.
In other news from 1947, I hear the Empire is planning to finally grant India independence.
Some things never change.
You're right, Baba O'Riley, it makes much more sense if she was a plant sent to romance him during his time in university as part of some sort of Truman-Show-esque scheme to develop a relationship with him and take nine years for it to result in a marriage proposal.
Oh teh noes, now he'll have to change is username again to avoid confusion between him and someone else nobody even mistaken him for.
Hilarity ensues.
Followed by treachery, betrayal, spilled blood and selling of stories to the tabloid press. So, much like a standard Royal Marriage, then.
Sounds like the title of the evil female ruler in a D&D setting.
"I am the Princess of the Blood, kneel before me or DIE!!!"
They tried that once or twice in the Middle Ages. Took about a Hundred Years or so to sort that mess out...
There's a bee in here! Get me a can of bug spray!
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