You may not have heard, but a small wedding happened in London today. A small wedding where William and Kate became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

But why are they the Duke and Duchess and not Prince William and Princess Catherine?

According to a BBC News article, “[Kate] will automatically become Her Royal Highness, Princess William of Wales” but will not be Princess Catherine as she is not “of royal blood”. Similarly, whilst many thought of Diana as ‘Princess Diana’, she was in fact Princess of Wales and, after her divorce, her official title was “Diana, Princess of Wales”.

So, instead of making new princes and princesses, ‘ducal titles’ are used. These give a rather grand (if old-fashioned title) to the new member of the royal family. Hence the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The BBC have also talked about this issue during the wedding coverage today, with a member of the royal household saying that it was fine for the public to call Kate ‘Princess Catherine’ as that is how they think of her.

Any less confused? I’m not.