When Prince William eventually becomes king, the transition will bring more than a new monarch—it will also reshape the future titles of his three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Royal titles follow centuries-old customs, and the accession of a new sovereign prompts a cascade of formal changes across the family. According to the British authority on royal etiquette, Debrett’s, many titles pass automatically, while others are traditionally granted upon a child coming of age or upon marriage.
Upon the passing of King Charles III, William will immediately assume the role of monarch. While he may choose a regnal name, he will also need to consider when and how to grant specific titles to his children. Historically, certain honors—such as dukedoms and the title Prince of Wales—are bestowed only when appropriate or when the heir has reached a certain level of maturity.
At their current ages, George, Charlotte, and Louis are still several years away from adulthood. If William ascends while they are young, many formal titles may be delayed until they marry or begin taking on full-time royal duties.
The royal family has followed this precedent for centuries. For example, Prince William was not named Prince of Wales until he was already an adult with substantial royal responsibilities following his marriage to Catherine, Princess of Wales.
As heirs to a modern monarchy with a long and deeply rooted history, the Wales children are poised to inherit titles that symbolize both tradition and the continuity of the Crown. Their eventual titles will depend on timing, availability, and longstanding royal custom.
Upon William’s accession, Prince George, as the eldest child and direct heir, will immediately assume several traditional titles. He will become Duke of Cornwall, which carries stewardship over the historic Duchy of Cornwall estates. In Scotland, he will inherit the title Duke of Rothesay, along with several associated Scottish honors. George is also expected to become Prince of Wales, though the timing is solely at the monarch’s discretion.
William may choose to grant the title immediately—as King Charles III did for him on Sept. 9, 2022—or wait until George marries or begins full-time royal duties. With the Prince of Wales title comes another historic honor: the title of Earl of Chester. However, William’s current title of Duke of Cambridge will not pass to George; instead, it reverts to the Crown and can be reassigned.
As a daughter of the monarch, Princess Charlotte has a different path. Because dukedoms are traditionally granted only to men, she cannot inherit a dukedom in her own right under current rules. Her most distinguished potential title is Princess Royal, an honor granted to the monarch’s eldest daughter.
The title was established in 1642 and is held for life. Charlotte can only receive it after the current Princess Royal, Princess Anne, passes away. Only seven women have held the title in more than 380 years, making it one of the rarest royal distinctions.
When William becomes king, Prince Louis will not automatically receive new titles. However, as the younger son of a monarch, he is eligible to be granted a dukedom when he marries or reaches adulthood. The traditional choice would be the Duke of York, historically given to the second son of the monarch since 1474.
However, due to controversies surrounding Prince Andrew, the last Duke of York, the title’s future is uncertain. Louis could instead receive another vacant dukedom depending on which titles the Crown deems appropriate.
Royal traditions continue to evolve with each new generation. Which title do you think best matches each of the Wales children’s future roles? Pass this on to someone who loves the royal family.
