Stephen Lock/i-Images
Today marked a big day for Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. Her dad formally registered her birth at Kensington Palace, as he did with Prince George in 2013, and great-granny popped by for a short visit.
According to the Daily Express, Her Majesty was driven to her grandson’s home at 2:35pm this afternoon and stayed for about 20 minutes.
“We couldn’t believe it, we’re stoked to see the queen,” Australian tourist Emily Arthur told royal reporter Richard Palmer. “She was wearing purple looking very serene. She didn’t wave but gave us a smile.”
On Charlotte’s birth certificate, the Duke of Cambridge listed Catherine’s occupation as “Princess of the United Kingdom.” This was a point of contention when Prince George was born back in July 2013, as it appeared the palace changed its tune on how the press should address the Duchess of Cambridge.
Palmer explored this issue by comparing statements given by the palace in May 2011 and in August 2013, after William signed George’s birth certificate. He wrote that up until then, aides insisted that Catherine was not a princess, but made a “u-turn” and claimed that William most likely took it upon himself to state his wife’s occupation. Technically, Catherine became “Princess William of Wales” upon marriage, but it is incorrect to address her as “Princess Kate” or “Princess Catherine.”
Stephen Lock / i-Images
After the royal wedding, a palace spokesman stated that “The Duchess of Cambridge would have been Her Royal Highness Princess William if she had not been given her new title, but it is not correct to say she is a Princess now,” according to Palmer.
Stephen Lock / i-Images
“You don’t automatically become a Princess when you marry a Prince. She’s not a Princess, though we’re quite relaxed about it and realise some people will call her a Princess,” communications secretary Paddy Harveson told reporters in 2011. “We are not going to get upset about it.”
It’s an interesting debate, addressing Catherine as a Duchess vs. Princess. However, since Catherine isn’t a blood royal, it’s technically incorrect to refer to her as “Duchess Catherine” or “Princess Catherine,” for the same reason it was incorrect to refer to the late Princess of Wales as “Princess Diana.”
Royal blogger Marlene Koenig pointed out a statement given by King George V‘s private secretary, Lord Stamfordham, regarding the Queen Mother‘s titles upon her marriage to Prince Albert. Read the explanation here.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs were super-jazzed about Charlotte’s birth, because why not?
The #Cubs Newborn Fan Club welcomes to the world Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge! pic.twitter.com/WLM5hu2CBC
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 4, 2015
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