In a surprising revelation, Prince Harry has shared details about a conflict between Princess Kate and King Charles regarding her royal name. The story, which has resurfaced due to recent commentary and insights from royal biographer Robert Jobson, sheds light on Kate Middleton’s intention to adopt a new name before her engagement to Prince William.
According to Jobson’s biography, the future Queen had confided in close friends about her desire to switch from “Kate” to “Catherine” in the lead-up to her royal engagement. The change, which was humorously communicated to her friends via email in 2008, was part of a broader preparation for her formal public role as Prince William’s future wife.
Jobson noted, “It was unclear if she did not like being called ‘Kate’ or whether it was part of a bigger preparation for her formal public role as Prince William’s future wife, but it appears that she had a genuine desire to go by her full name.” This decision only fueled growing speculation that Prince William was preparing to propose, which he eventually did in 2010. The couple married in April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, after which Kate became formally known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
However, according to Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, there was a disagreement over Kate’s name when she married into the royal family. The Duke of Sussex claimed that King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, suggested that “Catherine” should be changed to “Katherine” to avoid having another royal cypher with the letter “C.”
“There were already two royal cyphers with a C and a crown above: Charles and Camilla,” Harry explained in his memoir. “It would be too confusing to have another. ‘Make it Katherine with a K,’ they suggested. I wondered now what came of that suggestion. I turned to Willy, gave him a look that said, ‘You listening to this?’ His face was blank.”
Despite the tension over the proposed name change, Kate ultimately retained the name “Catherine.” Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, she was given the title of Princess of Wales, a title famously held by Princess Diana for 16 years between 1981 and 1997.
The revelations about the debate over Kate’s name highlight the intricacies of royal life and the often unseen dynamics within the British monarchy. As Princess Kate continues to fulfill her role with grace, the story serves as a reminder of the challenges she has navigated in her journey to becoming the future Queen.
