Prince William Insisted on Keeping His Title and Pushed for Kate to Become Princess Catherine, Insider Reveals

Prince William reportedly wanted to honor his wife, Kate Middleton, with a special title, but his request was denied by the monarch. While Kate holds several official titles, including Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Cornwall, and Duchess of Rothesay, among others, there was one title William had hoped she would receive: Princess Catherine.

According to a palace insider, William had expressed a desire to continue using his title as “Prince” rather than being referred to as a duke. “He says he was born Prince William and wants to continue to be known as that,” the insider told The Telegraph at the time. Moreover, William wanted his wife to be known as Princess Catherine, reflecting her status within the royal family.

However, despite his wishes, the request was turned down by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Royal historian Kenneth Rose explained that traditionally, the title of “princess” is reserved for women born into the royal family, rather than those who marry into it. While there have been exceptions, such as Prince Henry’s widow, the Duchess of Gloucester, who was granted the princess title in recognition of her years of service, Queen Elizabeth did not want to alter the established system.

Had Kate’s title been changed shortly after her marriage, it could have led to similar requests from other members of the royal family, which the Queen wished to avoid. Kenneth Rose noted that William was pressured not to push for changes to the long-standing tradition. While Kate may not hold the title of “Princess Catherine,” her numerous roles and honors reflect her significance within the royal family.