Reason why Kate Middleton was meant to change her name after she married Prince William

The royal family’s traditions and protocols often extend to seemingly minor details like name spellings. According to Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare,” when Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011, there were discussions about changing the spelling of her first name from the traditional “Catherine” to “Katherine.”

The reasoning behind this suggestion from King Charles and Queen Camilla was to avoid potential confusion, as there were already two royal cyphers (monograms) with a “C” and a crown representing Charles and Camilla. By spelling Kate’s name with a “K,” it would differentiate her cypher from the others. This anecdote provides an informative glimpse into the meticulous considerations within the royal household, even when it comes to personal names and their representation in official insignia.

The Princess of Wales, widely known as Kate, officially goes by the name Catherine. According to royal expert Adam Helliker, the transition from Kate to Catherine occurred while she was dating Prince William, in anticipation of a potential royal life after marriage.

In a 2008 Sunday Express column, Helliker explained that “the former accessories buyer has quietly informed friends that she would like to drop the informal ‘Kate’ and in future wishes to be known by her full name: ‘Catherine.'” The reasoning behind this change was to avoid confusion, as Helliker stated, “It would be too confusing to have another.”

There have been reports suggesting that prior to her marriage to Prince William, Kate Middleton requested friends and acquaintances to address her as Catherine. According to Sebastian Helliker, friends of the now Princess of Wales were taken aback by this request, with some expressing surprise and interpreting it as a sign that she was becoming increasingly conscious of her impending royal status.

However, it’s worth noting that certain royal sources have reportedly disputed these claims, casting doubt on the veracity of the reports. The differing accounts highlight the scrutiny and speculation that often surrounds the British royal family.