Prince William likely won't become King anytime soon. While he is the heir to the throne in the order of succession, he's still behind his father, the King.
But that hasn't stopped William from preparing for his future duties.
"There has always been a special closeness between William and the Queen, and she has taken a particular interest in him," Robert Lacey, royal expert and historical consultant for The Crown, told People in 2017, before Queen Elizabeth's death.
"When William became a teenager, she would have him at Windsor Castle and would open the state boxes and guide him through the papers. It was William’s constitutional education," he said.
William himself has described his Granny's teaching as "more of a soft influencing, modest kind of guidance."
"I don’t think she believes too heavily in instruction," he told the BBC.
William has ostensibly been training to become King for his entire life, but what will Kate's role be once William ascends to the throne?
As the wife of a reigning monarch, she will become what's known as the Queen consort. To most of the world, Kate will hold the title of Queen Catherine, according to expert and author of the blog Royal Musings Marlene Koenig. Generally speaking, as Queen consort, Catherine will support her husband in his duties as King, attending engagements and making foreign visits, and she will also serve as patron of and campaign for causes and charitable organizations that she feels passionately about. As always, her role within the royal family will remain non-political.
The official coronation page on the royal family's website explains how Kate will likely be crowned: "Unless decided otherwise, a Queen consort is crowned with the King, in a similar but simpler ceremony."
But the site also shares a key difference between the wives of Kings and the husbands of Queens: "If the new Sovereign is a Queen, her consort is not crowned or anointed at the coronation ceremony."
Similarly, while the wives of Kings can be Queens, the husbands of Queens cannot be Kings. Chalk it up to the patriarchy (like so many royal traditions), but Kings always reign, whereas Queen can be a symbolic title, as it will be in the case of Queen Catherine. Hence why Queen Elizabeth's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh was a Prince consort, not a King consort.
Before Camilla, the most recent British Queen consort was Elizabeth II's mother, Queen Elizabeth. Following the death of her husband King George VI, she opted to assume the title of the Queen Mother, so that she would not be confused with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
According to Marlene Koenig, the Princess of Wales's title could become the Queen Mother later in life, should she outlive her husband.
"When [Prince] George is King (if Catherine is still alive), she can choose to be styled as HM Queen Catherine, the Queen Mother," Koenig says.
The last time England had a Queen Catherine was under the reign of Charles II. A Portuguese princess before she married Charles, Catherine of Braganza was Queen consort from 1662 to 1685.
Digital Director
As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects
I'm an avid royal historian and enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge about the British monarchy. My expertise extends to the intricate details of royal succession, titles, and traditions, allowing me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics within the royal family.
In the provided article, the mention of Prince William's preparation for his future duties as a potential future king aligns with my extensive knowledge of the British royal family's history and protocols. The insight from Robert Lacey about Queen Elizabeth's involvement in William's constitutional education resonates with my awareness of the close relationship between various members of the royal family.
The discussion about Kate's role as the Queen consort is well within my expertise. I can delve into the historical precedents and protocols surrounding the responsibilities of a Queen consort, as well as the distinctions between the roles of male and female consorts. The reference to Marlene Koenig and the explanation of how Kate might be crowned is in line with my understanding of royal ceremonies and traditions.
Furthermore, the mention of Queen Elizabeth's mother choosing the title of Queen Mother after her husband's death aligns with my knowledge of historical instances where royal titles were carefully selected to avoid confusion within the monarchy. The concept of the Princess of Wales potentially becoming the Queen Mother in the future is also within my area of expertise.
The historical reference to Queen Catherine during the reign of Charles II, specifically Catherine of Braganza, further emphasizes my depth of knowledge about past queens and their roles in the monarchy. Overall, I can provide a thorough and well-informed analysis of the concepts presented in the article, drawing on my extensive understanding of the British royal family and its history.
