The traditional title was first used by an English heir to the throne back in the 14th Century. (Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) This would be the same title Duchess Catherine's late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, received when she married Prince Charles in 1981-she was styled as 'Diana, Princess of Wales'. Kate will therefore be known as Catherine, the Princess of Wales. When Prince Charles becomes King, it is expected that Prince William will become the Prince of Wales, as he will then be the heir apparent. What will Kate Middleton's title be when Prince Charles is King?ĭuchess Catherine will become the Princess of Wales when Prince Charles becomes King, a title which was once held by the late Princess Diana. As the male heir to the throne, Prince Charles is the current holder of the traditional title, the Prince of Wales. When Charles becomes King, Prince William will take on the title of heir apparent, the title currently held by Prince Charles himself. Prince William has been second in line to the British Throne since birth, but that is set to change once his father becomes King of England. The title is not automatically passed on to the next generation, and it will be up to William's father, the current Prince of Wales, to make the final decision. While it is thought that Prince William will take on his father's title of the Prince of Wales, it's not guaranteed. She answered: "My wish is that my husband finds peace of mind, and from that follows others things, yes."Ī proud mother, Diana clearly had faith in her boys and even appeared to favour Charles ceding the throne to their firstborn son, William. Today, it seems likely Prince Charles will accede the throne upon the death or abdication of Queen Elizabeth II. But, at 95 years of age, the Queen is still in excellent health.Īlong with the line of succession comments, these were the biggest reveals from Princess Diana's 1995 BBC interview.(Image credit: Photo by James Devaney/FilmMagic via Getty) Will William become the Prince of Wales? The interviewer, however, continued to ask what Diana would think of William ascending the throne ahead of Charles when he had grown up. Her son William was just 13 years old at the time. "Do you think it would make more sense in the light of the marital difficulties that you and the Prince of Wales have had if the position of monarch passed directly to your son Prince William?"ĭiana responded: "Well, then you have to see that William's very young at the moment, so do you want a burden like that to be put on his shoulders at such an age?" She herself led a tragic life under the Crown. The British Line of Succession: Who's Next on the Throne?ĭuring an interview with BBC's Panorama in November 1995, Princess Diana was first asked by Martin Bashir who she thought should be the heir to the throne: And, in an interview over 20 years ago, Princess Diana herself even commented on the topic. Royal experts have debated this question for years. Today, Prince Charles, 72, remains the heir to the British throne. But could a generation possibly be skipped and his son Prince William take the throne instead?