Duchess of Cambridge on the Cover of Tatler's Special Collector's Issue

The Duchess of Cambridge on Tatler's cover.

The Duchess of Cambridge is a Princess of the United Kingdom

The Duchess of Cambridge. Image: Wikimedia Commons

The issue on how to properly address the Duchess of Cambridge has once again earned the coverage of media after Prince George of Cambridge’s  birth certificate went live online. Yes, it’s true that Catherine’s is a Princess of United Kingdom, however, she acquired this right by marriage and she is not however allowed to style herself as Princess Catherine. Even if she has been born a Princess of another realm, she would have to use the feminine form of her husband’s title.

Marlene Eilers Koenig, a leading expert in the field of royal history, has written a comprehensive article on this issue.

I have also written an article about how to properly address members of the royal family who were not born princesses.

Take the case of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. Princess Marina was married to Prince George Duke of Kent in 1934. On their wedding day, she became a British princess by marriage and she took her husband’s title. While in Greece, she has all the right to style herself Princess Marina, her marriage to a British prince automatically made her HRH The Princess George, Duchess of Kent.
Later in her life, after her eldest son, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, married Miss Katharine Worsley, who automatically became HRH The Duchess of Kent, Princess Marina requested Queen Elizabeth II to allow her to use her princely title, rather than be addressed HRH The Dowager Duchess of Kent and create confusion. However, the Queen did not issue any letters patent making her aunt a British princess in her own right, although she allowed her to use the title as a courtesy. Thus, until her death in 1969, Princess Marina was styled HRH Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent.

While Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester was not born a Princess (she was born Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott), Queen Elizabeth II by courtesy, out of respect and gratitude to her service to the Crown, and to avoid confusion with the new Duchess of Gloucester (formerly Birgitte van Deurs) allowed her aunt to style herself Princess Alice followed by her husband’s title. Thus, she became known as HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.

A recent article published in Hello’s website discussing the Duchess of Cambridge’s title contained errors.

Hello writes “Direct descendants of the monarch are typically given a dukedom or, in the case of a younger son they become an Earl.” Not necessarily an earldom. In fact, until Prince Edward was given an Earldom, all the younger sons of a British sovereign were given a dukedom.

Queen Victoria – Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Connaught and Duke of Albany

King George V – Duke of York, Duke of Gloucester, Duke of Kent

Queen Elizabeth II – (except for Earl of Wessex) the Duke of York

A Letters Patent gazetted on 11 December 1917 and signed by King George V to this day serves as the bible of royal titles. The Letter Patent restricted the use of the style Royal Highness and the titular dignity of  Prince (or Princess) of Great Britain and Ireland to the children of the Sovereign, the children of the sons of the Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest living son of a Prince of Wales.

According to the Letters Patent: "Titles of Royal Highness, Highness or Serene Highness, and the titular dignity of Prince and Princess shall cease except those titles already granted and remaining unrevoked."

The King’s relatives who are members of the British Royal Family but fighting on the German side during World War I, like Prince Ernst August of Hanover, 3rd Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale (the most senior male-line great-grandson of George III) and Prince Carl Eduard, Duke of Albany and reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (a male-line grandson of Queen Victoria), were cut off; their British peerages were suspended by a 1919 Order in Council under the provisions of the Titles Deprivation Act 1917. However, Prince Charles Edward remained a Prince of the United Kingdom, a title that was his by virtue of his birth.

The title Prince and Princess, according to Hello, is “inherited through male descendants.” Not really. Any son or daughter of sovereign is called a Prince or Princess. Furthermore, the title Prince or Princess is only transmitted to a male-line grandchild of a sovereign. That means, the children of a sovereign’s son are entitled to use Prince and Princess before their name plus their father’s territorial designation.

For example, Prince George, Duke of Kent is the fourth son of King George V. When his children were born, they were allowed to use the title and style HRH Prince (Christian name) plus the territorial designation “of Kent,” as with the case Prince Edward of Kent (who inherited his father’s Dukedom upon his death in 1942), Princess Alexandra of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent. The same rules apply to the daughters of HRH The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York.

But are they still prince or princess of United Kingdom? Or, are they just mere princes and princess “of Kent” or “of York”? They are actually Prince of United Kingdom, but the designation “of Kent” and “of York” signifies that are not children of a sovereign. They derive their title not from the sovereign but from their parents.

What about Prince William? He was born Prince William of Wales. But how come he became Duke of Cambridge?

When Prince William was born, he was not yet a son of a sovereign, but the son of the Prince of Wales, who is the heir to the throne. Thus, he derived his title from their father’s. When he got married in 2011, Queen Elizabeth II created him Duke of Cambridge. By right of his birth, he is a Prince. But by the will of the sovereign, he was created a royal duke—not just any other duke who belongs to the nobility.

You can be a Princess and not use the title. True. But Hello used the wrong example. “Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall is technically the Princess of Wales out of respect for the late Diana, Princess of Wales she has never use that title. Instead she uses her husband Prince Charles' Dukedom.” Yes, Camilla is by all means the Princess of Wales and a Princess by marriage but even if she uses the titles Princess of Wales, she cannot style herself Princess Camilla. “Princess Diana” is in fact wrong.  She was Diana, Princess of Wales, or simply the Princess of Wales, but never Princess Diana.

The children of the Earl and Countess of Wessex are by all means Prince and Princess of the United Kingdom: Princess Louise of Wessex and Prince James of Wessex. However, the Earl and Countess declined using royal titles for their kids, rather, they wanted everyone to address them as the son and the daughter of an earl. Note, the Earl holds a royal earldom, bestowed upon him by his mother when he married in 1999. If he wasn’t given an earldom, his wife would simply be style HRH The Princess Edward. Take the case of Princess Michael of Kent, the former Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz. Prince Michael does not hold any title of nobility, as such, his wife is known as Princess Michael.

So are the Earl and Countess of Wessex’s kids no longer Prince and Princess of United Kingdom? They are still Prince and Princess of United Kingdom and sometime they grow up, they can choose to be styled that way. The Queen never signed a letters patent revoking their royal status. Another example of Princess Patricia of Connaught. When he married the Hon. Alexander Ramsay, a younger son of the Earl of Dalhousie, she made it known that she no longer wanted to use her royal titles and styles and became known as Lady Patricia Patricia taking precedence before the all the marchionesses in England.

Meanwhile, the eldest or the only daughter of the sovereign is usually accorded the title Princess Royal of Great Britain. Princess Anne currently holds the title—and she will remain Princess Royal for life. Other Princess Royals include: Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood (only daughter of King George V), Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife (only daughter of Edward VII) and Victoria, the Empress Frederick of Germany (eldest daughter of Queen Victoria). However, one cannot assume the title unless the preceding holder has passed away. Queen Elizabeth II, as the elder daughter of a sovereign, never assumed the title, given that her aunt, Princess Mary, was still alive during her father’s reign. The same was the case of Princess Mary, who did not become Princess Royal until 1932, a year after the death of her aunt, Princess Louise. However, inheriting the title is not automatic. The Empress Frederick died in 1901 but Princess Louise did not automatically assume the title until her father, King Edward VII declared her so.  Princess Mary died in 1965 but it was only in 1987 that Queen Elizabeth II awarded the title to Princess Anne.

To sum:

• The Duchess of Cambridge is a British princess, though not in birth, but by marriage.

• Ladies who married members of the Royal Family take the feminine form of their husbands’ title. Kate Middle—HRH The Duchess of Cambridge; Sophie Rhys-Jones—HRH The Countess of Wessex; Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz—HRH Princess Michael of Kent.

•  Male-line grandchildren of a sovereign are British princes and princesses, only that they use their parents’ territorial designation. Prince Henry of Wales, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, Prince Michael of Kent.

• Former members of the Royal Family have lost their rights as royals, although by courtesy, they are allowed to use their husbands’ titles. However, they lose these titles when they remarry. The Princess of Wales became Diana, Princess of Wales while the Duchess of York became Sarah, Duchess of York, minus the HRH.

About the Author

Christian George Acevedo is a book worm, mentor, and scholar of wide-ranging interests. He has authored hundreds of articles for various websites, and his expertise ranges from online marketing and finance to history, entertainment and many more. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Tumblr. Contact Christian at powerwordsonlinewriting@gmail.com.

Royal Baby Update: Britain Prepares for the Birth of Baby Cambridge

Britain is one with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they
get ready for the coming of the royal baby.

Six days to go and Britain’s third-in-line to throne will see the light of this world. And everyone’s just excited for the coming of this baby!

Since the birth of Prince William in 1982, no royal birth has garnered such media attention until it was announced that Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, they are expecting their baby on July 13… or maybe sooner?

In fact, Mail Online reveals  that a privately chartered helicopter has already landed just outside the couple’s farmhouse in Wales. It will remain on stand-by to fly William – still working as a search-and-rescue pilot at RAF Valley in Anglesey – to his wife’s side in under two hours.  If possible, the Prince is hoping to drive Kate to hospital from their Kensington Palace home.

William and Kate, meanwhile, have still not picked a name, reports Mail Online. Instead, they decided to give the baby’s name right after giving birth.

And once the baby has been safely delivered, Prince William will have to make an “encrypted phone call” to Granny Liz, telling her that he’s now a proud daddy! Queen Elizabeth II is the luckiest person is the world to hear the news when Kate gives birth.

The Duke of Cambridge’s private secretary will then inform Prime Minister David Cameron, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and other government officials, after which an official note will be placed in a glass fronted easel and attached to the gates of the palace. The leaders of the Commonwealth countries and the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have to be informed, too.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles is getting ready to start a new phase of his life, becoming a first-time grandfather. In fact, on his trip to Kenfig, near Bridgend, South Wales, he surprised a ladies’ circle when he asked them for advice on his own impending grandfatherhood, reports Wales Online.

Since the royal birth will mean more media watchdogs will try to cash out this event, the government’s Advertising Standards Authority’s Committee of Advertising Practice warned the business and media sector to stick to guidelines in advertisements linked to the Royal baby. The agency made it clear that no member of the Royal Family should be shown or even mentioned in any advertisements, unless they have permission from the Lord Chamberlain’s Office.

And these and a baby, too. We can only hope for the best but for now, let’s stay tuned and stand by and pray the Kate will deliver a healthy baby, be it a boy or a girl.

About the Author

Christian George Acevedo is a librarian, mentor, and scholar of wide-ranging interests. He has authored hundreds of articles for various websites, and his expertise ranges from online marketing and finance to history, entertainment and many more. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Tumblr. Contact Christian at powerwordsonlinewriting@gmail.com.

Duchess of Cambridge steals the show at the Trooping the Colour

The Royal Family at the balcony during the Trooping the Colour.
Image credit: AP/Mail Online

The Duchess of Cambridge was glowing as ever at this year’s Trooping the Colour. This was her last public appearance before she delivers her baby due soon. The Duchess proudly watched her gorgeous husband, Prince William, as he joined the traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony, held in celebration of the Queen’s official birthday.

The Duke of Cambridge, who is a Colonel of the Irish Guards, rode the horse as he paraded with other officers.  

Prince Charles and Princess Anne also joined in the ceremony. The Prince of Wales is Colonel of the Welsh Guards while the Princess Royal is Colonel of the Blues and Royals.

The absence of the Duke of Edinburgh was well-noted. Himself, a fixture in the annual ceremony, he is still recovering at the hospital.

Going back to the Duchess of Cambridge, she really looks elegant in her light-pink Alexander McQueen coat, accentuated with pearl buttons and complemented with matching hat. She shared a carriage ride with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry. The royals were all joyful and waving at loyal subjects as they make their way through the route.

Prince Harry cracks a joke. Camilla and Kate responds positively.
Image credit: Mail Online

Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn try to magnify the
planes in the sky. Image credit: AP/ Mail Online

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York wave at the loyal onlookers.
Image credit: James Whatling/ Splash News / Mail Online

Buckingham Palace. Image credit: AFP/Getty/ Mail Online

Queen Elizabeth II after the ceremony.
Image credit: Ben Cawtha/ NLP/ Mail Online

Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince William joins the parade.
Image credit: PA/ Mail Online

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, outside Buckingham
Palace. Image credit: Getty/ Mail Online

Prince Harry chitchats with Will and Kate. Image credit: Getty/ Mail Online

Pregnant Duchess of Cambridge shares a carriage ride with Duchess of Cornwall
and Prince Harry. Image credit: PA/ Mail Online

The Royal Family at Buckingham Palace's balcony. Image credit: Getty/ Mail Online

Other members of the Royal Family also joined the carriage parade. The last to arrive was the Queen who rode a glass coach with her cousin, the Duke of Kent, from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade.

The Queen was wearing a royal blue Angela Kelly coat. Her hat was complemented by a matching lace dress. She took the royal salute while her family looked on. Among the royals who were present included the Duke of York and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex with their daughter Lady Louise Windsor.

Everyone was cheering Her Majesty after she took the short ride back to Buckingham Palace at the end of the ceremony. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery saluted her with a 41-gun salute in Green Park.

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This was the third time that Prince Philip missed the event. He missed the occasion in 1962 and in 1968, when he was on a royal tour.

It was 1951 when the Queen first took the royal salute. Her father, George VI, was already sick at the time and did not make it to the ceremony.

The only instance that the Queen missed receiving the mark of respect was in 1955, when the national rail strike paralyzed the country.

As usual, thousands of soldiers, horses and musicians joined this year’s Trooping the Color. Aside from commemorating the Queen’s birthday, the ceremony also allows the Guardsmen to take pride of their of their work, as well as, to celebrate their achievements with their families and loved ones.

About the Author

Christian George Acevedo is a librarian, mentor, and scholar of wide-ranging interests. He has authored hundreds of articles for various websites, and his expertise ranges from online marketing and finance to history, entertainment and many more. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Tumblr. Contact Christian at powerwordsonlinewriting@gmail.com.

Duchess blooms in blue dress at the National Portrait Gallery

The baby bump's showing off, but the Duchess of Cambridge just fits in her would-be mom role. In the photos (borrowed from Mail Online) features the glamorous Duchess wearing a 50s styled cocktail dress designed by Emilia Wickstead. Kate was attended the National Portrait Gallery to celebrate the work of Art Room. The Duchess firmly believed that art could do so much to make a difference. The Art Room, in fact, helps poor school children by giving lessons in drawing, painting and modeling. The Art Room is one of the very first charities that Duchess of Cambridge supported since marrying into the Royal Family. Visit Mail Online for more stunning photos of Lovely Kate.

Royal fury after magazines publish Kate's bikini-clad images while vacationing in Mustique

image source: Earsucker.com

Italian magazine publishes photos showing  Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge while on holiday in Mustique 

The Duke of Cambridge and his pregnant duchess Kate only wanted to take a break from the husle and bustle of royal life. So off the seemingly honey-mooning couple and took the flight (withe the Middletons) to Mustique, the fabled Caribbean island, once the favorite destination of the Queen's late sister, Princess Margaret. But little do we know--and little do the royal couple know that while strolling on the shoreline, bikini-clad Kate (with the sign of baby bump apparent), was already photographed by a prying lense.


Now, royal fury is on "after Italian and Australian magazines published these photos, while more publications around the around are lined up to do the same," reports Mail online.

St. James's Palace has officially released a statement saying that the act was "a clear breach of privacy, calling the pictures "violating."

Mail online further reports that foreign publishers obtained the rights to publish the images for a whooping  £100,000.

Fiona Connolly, editor of the Australian magazine, Woman's Day, said that the royal couple are "not protected species" outside Britain. However, Mustique is a private island and papparazi is banned there. Nevertheless, Connolly claimed that the images were taken by a foreigner.  

Duchess of Cambridge reveals baby bumps

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
at the National Portrait Gallery.

The Duchess of Cambridge, now around 12 weeks pregnant, shows signs of baby bumps and she managed to retain that ever-glowing look and slender physique. The images here were taken after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to the National Portrait Gallery to check out the first official portrait of Her Royal Highness. Despite her recent bout with ill-health after it was revealed that she was pregnant, the Duchess is now back in good health. She celebrated her 31st birthday just recently and her
impeccable sense of style," as reported by Mail Online, was imminent in her classy burgundy chiffon dress matched by her "trusty black court shoes."

Duchess of Cambridge portrait unveiled

Paul Emsley's portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge

The first official portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge is out, but critics panned it, calling it "rotten" and "nothing like Kate in real life," reports The Daily Mail. However, The Telegraph praised the artist, Paul Emsley (himself controversial for realistic and photographic style) for painting the Duchess in "a picture of maturity."


The Duchess is seen smiling (Mail wrote she was rather grimacing), her face was "framed by her hair."

The Duchess was elated to have seen the portrait, calling it "amazing" and "brilliant." Prince William couldn't be happier, too. "It's beautiful, it's absolutely beautiful," he said.

Duchess of Cambridge turns 31

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after their wedding.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS!

Today marks the Duchess of Cambridge’s 31^stbirthday. Born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton on January 9, 1982, the dazzling beauty stole the heart of Prince William and the adoration of millions of people around the world. Even before her April 29, 2011 wedding to Prince William, second in-line to the throne of Great Britain, Kate was already the darling of the press. This year, the Duchess is expecting her first baby. And to celebrate her birthday, here are 31 of the most dazzling photos (picked by Daily Mail) of the lady who keeps on mesmerizing the world.