She is known by many today as the Princess of Wales, but depending on time and location, it has not always been that way.
Since Kate’s official entrance into the royal family in 2011, when she wed Prince William, she inherited an official royal title, but it was not the same one that many know her as today.
And when the royal, 42, is in Scotland or Northern Ireland, her official titles can again vary.
Kate also has several military titles that she’s acquired through the years, including Colonel of the Irish Guards.
Here, FEMAIL reveals the titles held by Kate, what they mean, and the appropriate time to use them.
Before Kate became the Princess of Wales she was known as the Duchess of Cambridge (pictured in 2022)
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Princess of Wales
Kate now holds the title of the Princess of Wales – the first member of the Royal Family to hold the title since Princess Diana died in 1997.
When Kate acquired the title, a source close to her said she ‘appreciates the history associated with this role but will understandably want to look to the future as she creates her own path’.
‘The couple are focused on deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time.
‘The Prince and Princess of Wales will approach their roles in the modest and humble way they’ve approached their work previously,’ the source said.
In his first televised address to the nation following the death of the Queen, King Charles III confirmed his son Prince William would inherit his title of the Prince of Wales and his wife Kate would become Princess.
Kate became the Princess of Wales following the death of Queen Elizabeth II (pictured at Buckingham Palace following the Coronation of King Charles III & Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey)
The Princess of Wales is the Colonel of the Irish Guards. In the role, she presented traditional sprigs of shamrock to Officers and Guardsmen of the Irish Guards during the 2023 St Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks (pictured)
At the time, the King said: ‘Today, I am proud to create [William] 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.
‘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.’
Since the 14th century the title of the Princess of Wales has been used by the wives of the Princes of Wales. However, it is a courtesy title.
Technically, Charles’s wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, was the Princess of Wales until Queen Elizabeth’s death, but she used the feminine equivalent of Charles’s Duke of Cornwall title, the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Duchess of Cornwall didn’t use the Princess of Wales title out of respect for Charles’s ex-wife Princess Diana, who died in Paris in August 1997.
Duchess of Cornwall
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and Charles’s ascension in 2022, Kate inherited an additional title from Queen Consort Camilla.
Kate acquired the title Duchess of Cornwall – a courtesy in direct line for the rank of the King and Queen.
The title is held by the heir apparent of the British throne, and in this case, Prince William.
Before Kate used the title, Queen Camilla went by Duchess of Cornwall after her marriage to Charles in 2005.
Charles’s eldest son, William, 41, also inherited the title the Duke of Cornwall upon the death of the Queen.
The royal was known as the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge on September 8, marking the transitionary period from Queen Elizabeth’s reign to her son’s confirmation as the new King.
Once it was confirmed that Charles was monarch, Kate became the Princess of Wales.
Duchess of Cambridge
On her wedding day to Prince William in 2011, Kate acquired the title of the Duchess of Cambridge
Kate is pictured above as Duchess of Cambridge at the Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in London, 2021
Kate became an official member of the Royal family on 29 April, 2011, after she wed Prince William.
On her wedding day, the 42-year-old dropped her given middle and surnames, going from Catherine Elizabeth Middleton to just Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Duchess of Rothesay and Countess of Chester
Today, when Kate travels to Scotland, she holds the titles Duchess of Rothesay and Countess of Chester.
Likewise, William became the Earl of Chester, which is linked to the Prince of Wales.
Before she became the Princess of Wales, Kate held the title Countess of Strathearn – a title she still holds today.
Countess of Carrick and Baroness of Renfrew
Kate holds regional titles when she travels to Northern Ireland, namely Countess of Carrick and Baroness of Renfrew.
The title comes from William’s inherited title, Earl of Carrick.
Kate’s regional titles in Northern Ireland are Countess of Carrick and Baroness of Renfrew.
Kate’s military titles
Colonel of the Irish Guards
Kate took over from William as Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2023, making her the 11th Colonel. In March 2023, she made received her first salute during a St Patrick’s Day parade.
Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm
The Princess became commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm as of August 2023.
The title was previously held by Prince Andrew before it was stripped from him and returned to the Queen as he faced a civil sexual assault trial that he later paid millions to settle.
Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Kate was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Queen’s Dragon Guards 2023.
The mother-of-three was assigned the title by King Charles. She made her debut in the role in November last year during a visit to Robertson Barracks.
Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the R.A.F. Coningsby
At the same time as receiving the tile of Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Queen’s Dragon Guards, Kate also became Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the R.A.F Coningsby.
Kate took over from her husband, Prince William, who has previously held the title since 2008.
Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the Air Cadets
In 2020, at 33 years old, Kate became the Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the Air Cadets.
The role, Kate’s first military title, comprises the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force.
