Princess Charlotte’s Future Could Look Very Different When Prince William Becomes King
As they navigate life in the royal spotlight, Kate Middleton and Prince William have maintained as much normalcy as possible for their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. However, this could all change once Prince William ascends to the throne, and Charlotte could be left without a title and purpose in the House of Windsor.
Princess Charlotte’s royal role could be in limbo under King William
Princess Charlotte’s future royal role could be in limbo when Prince William eventually becomes king. Commentary from OSSA notes the future of William and Kate’s only daughter “will change dramatically when her father succeeds in becoming grandfather as king.”
The channel reported: “When that happens life as Charlotte knows it will look very different. There is a good chance she’ll lose her titles when her dad is on the throne. By the time William is [king], his eldest son George will be Prince of Wales.”
Charlotte cannot be named Princess of Wales as “a royal lady can only be a princess if she’s married to a Prince or the daughter of a Prince. As George’s sister, Charlotte doesn’t fit either category,” the channel reported.
Princess Anne is currently the Princess Royal. Upon Anne’s passing the title will be available. Either King Charles or William, if his father passes, will decide if Charlotte is granted the title.
What title does Princess Charlotte have today?
Princess Charlotte is currently Princess Charlotte of Wales. Her title changed in 2022 when her father, Prince William, and mother, Kate Middleton, became Prince and Princess of Wales.
Title changes are typical within the royal family. William was a prince before being gifted the title of the Duke of Cambridge on his wedding day to Kate Middleton in 2011. Thus, Kate became Duchess of Cambridge and their children have the same titles. Before she was Princess Charlotte of Wales, she was Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.
Charlotte will always be a princess. However, she can only become a Duchess if she marries a Duke. However, that is at the discretion of her father when he ascends to the throne.
She also has the title of HRH (Her Royal Highness), a title bestowed on children and grandchildren of the monarch. It is at the monarch’s discretion if their descendants can use the title. It is up to the parents if they want their offspring to have it.
Queen Elizabeth ensured Charlotte had an advantage other royal women didn’t have
Queen Elizabeth II’s support for the Succession to the Crown Act of 2013 helped ensure that Princess Charlotte could be in line for the British throne. These changes ensured that capability, not gender, determines the heir to the throne. This shift allowed Charlotte to remain in the line of succession behind her brother, Prince George, who would inherit the crown from Prince William.
Thus, Charlotte became the first princess not to lose her place in the line of succession when her younger brother, Prince Louis, was born in 2018. Typically, if a male child is born in a family, even if younger than his sisters, he would become heir to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth became heir presumptive as her parents, King George VI and Elizabeth, had no sons. If her parents had a son, he would have become heir apparent and above Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret, in the line of succession.
Princess Charlotte’s title remains the same. She is currently third in line to the throne. Her father Prince William succeeds King Charles, followed by her brother, Prince George. Charlotte is next, followed by her younger brother Prince Louis.
