Prince William’s Predecessors in Cambridge, Strathearn, and Carrickfergus

Prince William got a bevy of titles as a gift from Queen Elizabeth II for his marriage to Catherine (or Kate) Middleton. The titles mostly come with quite a baggage of history, some quite recent, some more ancient. 

HRH Prince William

There is No Princess Catherine

Even some British commentators got it wrong when describing the newlywed Catherine Middleton as Princess Catherine. She is not, as marriage to a Prince does not automatically make you a Princess. In keeping with tradition, though, the Queen conferred titles upon Prince William. 

TRH THe Duchess and Duke of Cambridge

The Duchess of Cambridge and Curtsy in a Muddle

Now Kate Middleton is part of the Firm as Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, she is plunged into the middle of an etiquette blunder produced by the Queen in 2005. A Royal edict intended to keep peace in the family might now start to backfire spectacularly. 

THR The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

A Bright Future for Saint John Paul II

After Pope Benedict XVI fast tracked his predecessor John Paul II into beatification on the way to become a fully winged saint, it seems there is a bright future for the latter once he manages to climb the final hurdle. 

Pope John Paul II