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Prince William and Catherine are popularly known by their titles as The Prince and Princess of Wales in England and other parts of the world. As members of the royal family, they recently marked their week in Scotland. Prince William went on with a new title, while Catherine is now known as the Princess of Wales - a title once held by her late mother-in-law Princess Diana. However, there was one shocking secret that many may not know. Catherine almost did not receive the traditional title given to the wife of the heir to the throne, due to a heartbreaking reason.
The constant comparisons to Princess Diana became too stressful for Catherine. When King Charles III's reign began in September 2022, it signaled a new chapter for both the monarchy and his daughter-in-law Catherine. She became the Princess of Wales, a title that had not been used since Diana some 20 years prior. However, according to royal insiders, Catherine considered declining the title when she married Prince William. She was aware that one day she would have to follow in Diana's footsteps as Princess of Wales. However, the prospect of becoming Princess of Wales held little appeal.
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Catherine knew comparisons would inevitably be made between herself and Diana, whose tragic death still causes such deep feelings of grief and anger. She was right - the similarities and differences between the two women have been extensively analyzed and discussed, even within the royal household. Catherine found all the talk about the comparisons very stressful. It got to the point where she felt she might follow Camilla's example, who opted to become Duchess of Cornwall instead of Princess of Wales when Charles became king.
However, William insisted to Catherine that there is no pressure. He explained that like she said, it's about carving your own future. "No one's going to try to fill my mother's shoes. What she did was fantastic. It's about making your own future and your own destiny, and Catherine will do a very good job of that." Though Catherine appreciates the history associated with the role of Princess of Wales, she will understandably want to look to the future as she creates her own path.
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As William and Catherine navigate their new roles, a royal source emphasized their commitment to deepening trust and respect with the people of Wales over time. Recently, Prince William joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh for the Order of the Thistle service during the royal week in Scotland. However, in a notable absence, Catherine remained at their Windsor home with their three children, as she is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
During the service, William did not use his usual title of Prince of Wales. Instead, he opted for the title of Duke of Rothes - a historic designation that has been used by the male heir to the Scottish throne since 1469. This title, conferred upon him by King Charles, marks a significant connection to Scottish history and tradition. By extension, Catherine is known as The Duchess of Rothes when in Scotland.
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For many, the wardrobe of the Princess of Wales would be the envy of fashionistas desperate to emulate her style. However, it's not actually Catherine who has been named the best dressed royal by society bible Tatler magazine. That distinction goes to another royal who was once criticized for her fashion choices - Princess Beatrice. Despite Catherine's doubts about constant comparisons to Diana, the palace reportedly encouraged her and other female royals to channel Diana's fashion influence as much as possible.
From the moment Diana first stepped out as Prince Charles's fiancée, she appeared determined to have her own sense of style, despite long-standing royal traditions. Diana was ready to break the royal rules and forge her own path with fashion. Her first official appearance with Charles was at Goldsmith's Hall in London, where she wore a stunning low-cut black gown. The dress was notable not just for its dramatic style, but because black was traditionally seen as an unconventional color for a royal fiancée to wear.
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In contrast, Catherine never wears black to royal engagements, deferring to the unspoken rule within the family. She relies instead on a wardrobe of bright colors and chic neutrals. While comparisons to Diana may have caused Catherine doubts early on, she seems to have found her own confident sense of style as the new Princess of Wales. As she and William continue navigating their roles, they appear committed to honoring history while embracing the future and opportunity to forge their own paths within the monarchy.
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