Kate Middleton Is Now Princess of Wales, the First Royal to Use the Title Since Princess Diana

Kate Middleton officially has a new title following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September. The 40-year-old is now the Princess of Wales, a title previously bestowed upon Princess Diana. It is typically a title held by the heir apparent and their husband or wife, but has to be granted by the sovereign. As such, King Charles III declared his eldest son, Prince William, the Prince of Wales in his first address on 9 September.

"Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty," King Charles said. "With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given."

Upon the Queen's death, the couple automatically became the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall as well, as is tradition for the eldest son of the reigning monarch. These new titles are in addition to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, titles given when they got married in 2011, making them officially going by Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge and the Prince and Princess of Wales. Their social media handles have been updated accordingly.

Kate is the first royal to hold the title since Princess Diana, who was declared the Princess of Wales when she married Charles in 1981. Camilla could have technically adopted the title when she married Charles, but chose not to take on the title out of respect. She now goes by queen consort. A source reportedly told The Mirror that Kate "appreciates the history associated with this role".

William is now second in line for the throne, followed by his 9-year-old son, Prince George. While plans for the Queen's funeral are still underway, King Charles III approved the date, which is still to be confirmed, as a bank holiday for the nation to pay their respects.

It's unlikely that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, will see changes to their titles since stepping down as senior members of the royal family in 2020, but their children, Archie and Lilibet, are now technically a Prince and Princess. This is because the current rules, issued by King George V in 1917, state that the title of prince or princess is extended to grandchildren born to the sovereign's sons.