Dukedom for William

The British media has been very quiet about possible titles for Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and there has been very little speculation about what they might be called once they are married.  Maybe there has been too much hype about other things...   but I suspect the tabloid press just assume that it will automatically be Prince William and Princess Kate of Wales.

I may be wrong, but I think the Queen will grant them a title tomorrow. Maybe Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it could be Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, or even Duke and Duchess of Clarence, which are all former royal titles that have died out.  Or perhaps a new title will be created especially for them, such as Duke and Duchess of Anglesey with their Welsh connection. I don't think the title Duke of Windsor will be revived though!  Maybe too many unhappy associations for the Royal Family.

Being a 'commoner', Kate is not entitled to be called Princess Catherine, and so would officially be Princess William of Wales (as in Princess Michael of Kent).  This problem was overcome with two previous 'commoners' - Sarah Ferguson and Sophie Rees Jones. Instead of being Princess Andrew or Princess Edward, or incorrectly being referred to as Princess Sarah and Princess Sophie, the Queen made Prince Andrew Duke of York on his wedding day and Prince Edward became Earl of Wessex on his wedding day. So, we immediately thought of the new brides as the Duchess of York and the Countess of Wessex.  This is what I think will happen to Kate, she will become the Duchess of Somewhere tomorrow.  When Charles eventually becomes King, then William and Kate will become Prince and Princess of Wales, Duke and Duchess of Cornwall etc, but in the meantime they will need a title.

Philip Mountbatten became Duke of Edinburgh on the eve of his wedding, Princess Margaret's commoner husband became Earl of Snowdon on his wedding day, so it has happened with men marrying into the Royal Family as well.  I looked back at the last time a Prince of Wales had a son and heir, which was Edward VII. When he was Prince of Wales, his eldest son had the title Duke of Clarence. Given that the Queen Mother, and now the present Prince of Wales, lived at Clarence House - maybe they will follow the precedent set by their ancestors and use the Clarence title.  But as a resident of Sussex myself, I would love them to become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex !!