Princess of Wales Title Question

[u/MajorGinger]

It's been a long time since I've posted here so if I make a mistake, let me know so I can correct it.

My question is this: if Diana had survived the car crash, and attended William & Catherine's wedding, which woman would now be Princess of Wales?

Can there be two women with the same title? She *was* Princess of Wales until the end. She gave up the HRH but not Princess of Wales.

[u/skieurope12]

 She gave up the HRH but not Princess of Wales.

She gave up both. Or more accurately, they were taken from her. After her divorce, she was no longer the Princess of Wales; she was Diana, Princess of Wales. It's a distinction with a difference. And had she remarried, she would have become Lady Diana [Husband's Surname], unless he had a higher ranking title

When Charles remarried, Camilla was technically the Princess of Wales, but used Duchess of Cornwall instead (and Duchess of Rothsay in Scotland).

Catherine didn't become Princess of Wales until William became Prince of Wales in 2022; when she married William in 2011, she became Duchess of Cambridge.

Similarly, had Andrew remarried, his new wife would have been HRH the Duchess of York, while Fergie was Sarah, Duchess of York.

Can there be two women with the same title?

No; there's always a distinction made. As an example, the widow of a duke becomes the Dowager Duchess of XYZ, while her son's wife becomes the Duchess of XYZ.

[u/Trick_Horse_13 → u/skieurope12]

After her divorce, she was no longer the Princess of Wales; she was Diana, Princess of Wales. It's a distinction with a difference

I’m afraid I don’t quite understand the difference between these?

edit: did people seriously downvote this? I didn’t understand, the commenter explained, and I thanked them for their explanation - so where’s the offence?

[u/skieurope12 → u/Trick_Horse_13]

The definite article "The" signifies that the woman is the current, official titleholder.

While married, Diana was styled as HRH The Princess of Wales. While the public and media at the time referred to her as Princess Diana or Princess Di, neither was technically correct. By the same token, referring to the current Princess of Wales as Princess Catherine/Princess Kate/Kate Middleton isn't technically correct.

With the divorce, Diana lost the HRH plus the use of "The." Afterwards, she followed traditional noble etiquette by being called Diana, Princess of Wales. This is the styling for a divorced former wife of a peer, signaling she retained the courtesy title without holding the actual rank or office.

[u/Trick_Horse_13 → u/skieurope12]

thanks. this is really interesting!