British Royal Family: New Royal Titles, Roles Following Queen Elizabeth’s Death Explained
Queen Elizabeth II passed away at Balmoral on Thursday. Following her death, members of the British Royal Family have undergone several changes, particularly in their official titles and roles.
Prince Charles, who served as the Prince of Wales for more than 60 years, assumed the role of King immediately after the Queen’s passing on September 8. He is now King Charles III, the King of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms.
As the wife of the monarch, Camilla Parker Bowles will now be styled as “Queen Consort” as is the custom. But, it was not always the case for the second wife of [then-Prince] Charles. There were assumptions about her taking the “Princess Consort” title instead until Queen Elizabeth II made her wish known earlier in February.
With Queen Elizabeth II’s Heir Apparent taking in on her role, the line of succession has shifted. Prince William, who was the second person in line to the British Throne, is now the next in line to the crown.
The royal-born Prince and his wife, Kate Middleton, also had new changes in their royal titles following the Queen’s passing. People said that the pair’s official accounts on Twitter and Instagram had updates on Thursday, with the Dukedom of Cornwall being added to their “names.”
As noted, they are now the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. However, they have yet to become the Prince and Princess of Wales, although they, especially Prince William, are expected to inherit the title.
BBC explained that the now-Heir Apparent will not automatically become Prince of Wales as “that will have to be conferred on him by his father.” King Charles III became the Prince of Wales in 1958, although his investiture occurred in 1969.
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s three children, who are now second, third, and fourth in line to the British Throne, will also reportedly have new royal titles.
Royal expert Marlene Koenig told Express UK that they will become Prince and Princess of Cornwall and Cambridge. But, once their father becomes Prince of Wales, she said that the young royals’ names and titles would follow suit.
As for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, reports believe that no apparent changes will take effect in their names and titles. They will remain Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a title they received upon marriage in 2018.
The case is different, however, for their two children who were born without royal titles.
The Mirror reported that the Sussexes’ children are now entitled to HRH titles following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. As noted, they are now the grandchildren of the British Monarch, making them “technically” a prince and princess.