Topline
In his first speech as king, Charles III named his eldest son, William, and his wife Kate as the new Prince and Princess of Wales, a title reserved for the heir apparent to the throne, ending Charles’ historic 64-year reign as next in line following Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday.
Prince William (left) will now be known as the Prince of Wales, officially becoming the heir … [+]
Key Facts
The new title comes one day after Prince William became the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge, a title reserved for the eldest son of the reigning monarch, and Middleton became the Duchess of Cornwall.
Their oldest son, Prince George, is reportedly expected to become the Prince of Cornwall and Cambridge, while their second child, Princess Charlotte could become Princess of Cornwall and Cambridge, and their third child, Prince Louis, could also become Prince of Cornwall and Cambridge.
The children of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle—the Duke and Duchess of Sussex —will now become Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, becoming the 6th and 7th in line for the throne, behind William, his three children and Harry.
Charles’ wife, Camilla, is now the Queen Consort—Queen Elizabeth II had requested she be given the title in February.
Key Background
William had become Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus in 2011, just before his marriage to Middleton, and became the Duke of Rothesay and Duke of Cornwall on his father’s accession to the throne. William and Harry’s mother, and Charles’ ex-wife, Princess Diana, had been the Princess of Wales during her marriage.
Further Reading
King Charles III Era Begins After Queen Elizabeth’s Death— Here’s Who Is Next In Line For The Throne (Forbes)
Queen Elizabeth, U.K.’s Longest-Reigning Monarch, Dead At 96 (Forbes)
Biden To Elton: Celebrities And World Leaders Mourn Death Of Queen Elizabeth (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/09/09/william-declared-prince-of-wales-here-are-royal-title-changes-in-the-wake-of-queen-elizabeths-death/