Explaining Prince George's titles once his father, Prince William, becomes King

Prince George of Wales is the eldest child and son of William, Prince of Wales and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales. He is a future British monarch in his own right and has two younger siblings, his well-behaved sister Princess Charlotte and scene-stealing brother Prince Louis.

George was born as Prince George of Cambridge, with his full name being George Alexander Louis. His parents were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the time of his birth and those of his siblings.

Let's take a look at recent events and the history with the titles that Prince George will one day inherit.

The Death Of Her Majesty The Queen

Upon the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, the Cambridge family went through three name changes over two days. On the day of The Queen's passing, the children went to school as George Cambridge, Charlotte Cambridge and Louis Cambridge. In the afternoon, they became the Cornwall and Cambridges. The next day, their grandfather, King Charles III granted their father the title of Prince of Wales.

Upon Prince William becoming the Prince of Wales, his wife and children automatically became the Waleses.

The Granting Of The Prince Of Wales Title

Despite the Prince of Wales title being long associated with the heir to the British throne, it is not granted upon the death of the previous monarch.

Upon King Charles's accession and the death of The Queen, Prince William immediately became The Duke of Cornwall. His father granted him the title of Prince of Wales during his televised address.

The Duke of Cornwall title has been synonymous with the heir to the British throne since Edward of Woodstock held the moniker in 1337 as per a degree by the British parliament. He was also the Prince of Wales, but didn't become king due to his death in 1376.

What many people might not know is that the Duke of Cornwall usually manages the lands owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, which is worth billions.

There have been points in history where the heir to the throne has not been known as The Prince of Wales, but solely The Duke of Cornwall. One famous example would include Henry, Duke of Cornwall.

Henry, Duke of Cornwall, was the infant son of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragorn. He lived for 52 days having been born on 1 January 1511 and dying on 22 February 1511. Henry and Catherine lost several other children before and after Henry. Their only surviving child was a daughter, Mary, who would become Queen Mary I.

Will Prince George Become Duke Of Cornwall?

Yes, upon the accession of his father, Prince George will automatically become Duke of Cornwall. He will also inherit several other titles including the Duke of Rothesay and the Earl of Chester, amongst others.

As for the Prince of Wales title, it will depend on what William decides. He may wait until George is older to grant him this title. After all, when the late Queen ascended the throne upon the death of her father King George VI in 1952, the now King Charles III automatically became the Duke of Cornwall with all the other titles associated with being heir to the throne.

Charles did not become Prince of Wales until 1958 when he was 10-years-old.

William might decide to go down this same route for George. However, this might change if George is 18 when his father becomes king. As for the finances of the Duchy of Cornwall, there is likely a plan to have the future king learn the ropes before he can take over the role.

Do All The Titles Associate With The British Throne?

Prince George will automatically inherit a vast array of titles outside of the Duke of Cornwall. Other titles include:

1. Earl of Chester - Given alongside the Prince of Wales title as the Earl of Chester is associated with Wales - the title will be acquired when the Prince of Wales title is given by William to his son.
2. Duke of Rothesay - Scotland
3. Earl of Carrick - Scotland
4. Baron of Renfrew - Scotland
5. Lord of the Isles - Scotland
6. Prince and Great Steward of Scotland

When William becomes king, neither of his sons will inherit the Dukedom of Cambridge. Instead, it will revert back to the crown. The same thing applied to the Duke of Edinburgh title upon Charles' accession to the throne. He had held the title upon the death of his father, Prince Philip.