King Charles confirmed the change in the roles of Crown Prince William and his wife in his first address to the nation as monarch on Friday night. He said: “Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so privileged to bear for so much of my life and duty. “With Catherine by his side, our new Prince and Princess of Wales, I know, will continue to inspire and guide our national conversations, helping to bring the marginalized to the center where vital help can be given.” The title of Princess of Wales has been used since the 14th century by the wife of the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Charles on William and Kate’s future role and wishes for Harry and Meghan – video It has not been used officially since William and Harry’s mother Diana died in 1997 when William was 15 – and is likely to be extremely emotional for many due to their close relationship with her. When Camilla married Charles in 2005, the decision was made that she would not use the title despite the right to do so, out of respect for Diana. The former Kate Middleton is the daughter of Michael and Carole Middleton, a businessman and former flight attendant. She met William while studying art history at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. They got married in 2011. During her marriage, Catherine, 40, has shown philanthropic interests in early years development, mental health, art, sport and addiction. In February 2022, he made a surprise appearance on CBeebies Bedtime Stories, where he read The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson as the end of Children’s Mental Health Week. In May, she and William voiced the ‘Mental Health Minute’ message, which was broadcast on every radio station in the UK, asking listeners to help those around them who are suffering from loneliness. It is believed that in her more senior role within the family, she is likely to undertake more royal engagements and take on more patronages. A source said: “The new Princess of Wales appreciates the history associated with this role but will understandably want to look to the future as she forges her own path.” Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: “William and Kate have focused on fewer charities than Charles, but they have done more for those they have chosen. “Kate is increasingly hands-on and has shown a particular interest in early years development, so I imagine she would want her legacy to show that she made a difference in this area. The problem of being compared to Diana will not arise because Kate is not Camilla – and because things have moved on. I think a reconciliation with the Sussexes could well be on the cards – there’s strength in stability, yes, but there’s weakness in division.” Catherine remained in Windsor with the couple’s children, George, Charlotte and Louis, on Thursday when William traveled to Balmoral to be with the Queen after being placed under medical supervision. The couple recently moved from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage, a more modest four-bedroom home on the Queen’s Windsor Castle estate. The children were enjoying their first day at nearby Lambrook School when their great-grandmother died. In his speech, King Charles confirmed that William would also take on the Scottish title of Duke of Rothesay, and Catherine becomes the Duchess of Rothesay – a title she can use on visits to Scotland if she prefers. William and Catherine also succeed Charles and Camilla as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. They remain the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge but the new titles take precedence.
