According to twitter The Queen issued new letters patent today granting the title Prince or Princess to the future sons or daughters of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
I personally thought this deserved a new thread, but it can be moved to the pregnancy thread perhaps.
An expected move but pleasant birthday "surprise" for the Duchess nonetheless.
Edit: the Letters Patent are actually dated 31.12.2012 and were issued on the same day via the London Gazette.
Makes sense given the change to equal succession rights regardless of gender beginning with William and Catherine's descendants.
A nice birthday present for HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.
I agree that a new Letters Patent would be required due to the upcoming changes in the succession laws. Prior to the new letter only the eldest grandson of the PoW would be given HRH Prince ____ status.
I think even if no changes had been planned, the Letters Patent would have still been issued.
It was always almost a certainty the children of the Duke of Cambridge - Heir Apparent to the Heir Apparent - would not be "mere" Lords and Ladies.
...new letters patent today granting the title Prince or Princess to the future sons or daughters of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
I agree Artemisia,its good news especially as its Kate's birthday!
It is consistent with prior practice. George VI issued Letters Patent in 1948 granting the style of HRH Prince/Princess to Elizabeth's future children since she was heiress presumptive. Victoria issued Letters Patent in 1898 elevating The Duke of York's children to HRH as children of the eldest son of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales.
George V limited the 1898 Letters Patent grant to the eldest son only when he issued the 1917 Letters Patent, but now The Queen has restored the provision to all the children.
This is a beautiful gift to Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge on her Birthday. I bet it made William & Catherine smile even more on this day.
I looked but could not find it in the Royal Gazette. Does anyone know the category/subcategory under which this would be posted?
For Harry Potter fans though, on Jan 4 a notice was printed (under the "other: category) to search for Tom Riddle. I am not kidding.
Great news and entirely expected.
I wonder does the Queen know something we don't, although its not really much of a surprise.
I was happy to see this, but will the children outrank their mother who is a "mere" Duchess?
Also, I would love to see HM do this for Prince Harry when he marries, like it was for Andrews children.
I guess we all realise that the Cambridges already know if it is going to be a child or twins. Not sure about the gender, though. That can be tricky and I can't remember from which week onwards you could tell of the "little difference" for sure. But they know and then surely HM and Prince Charles know if it's going to be one or two babies.
You do know that Catherine is not a mere Duchess, she is a Princess but as Prince William is now known as The Duke of Cambridge, his wife is now known as The Duchess of Cambridge.
Well if Henry has children while The Queen lives, then she probably will. However personally I think Henry will have children in the reign of his father so new LPs aren't necessary.
Their mother isn't a "mere duchess", she is a Royal duchess, meaning that her husband, the prince, was elevated to the rank of Royal duke before his wedding, thus she as his wife is both a princess and a Royal duchess, but only used the higher title of duchess. But of course Catherine is HRH Princess William of Wales in addition to being HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince/Princess is a courtesy title for relatives of the souverain in male-line while a Royal peerage is a "real" peerage, thus higher ranking than a mere courtesy title.
Very true, Catherine is a Princess by marriage.
The PDF file and the announcement in the London Gazette.