The Inheritance of Titles by Prince William upon the Death of Prince Charles

When Prince Charles dies, much is uncertain, but one thing is for sure - Prince William will ascend to a new title. The current prediction is that he will become His Majesty King William V. However, this is subject to the Queen's living status and the exact circumstances of Prince Charles's death.

Current Titles of Prince Charles Upon the Queen's Passing

Should Prince Charles pass away before his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William would inherit certain titles and honors. Specifically, he would become:

Duke of Edinburgh Earl of Merioneth Baron Greenwich

However, it's important to note that Prince William would not inherit Prince Charles's titles that were traditionally held by the heir apparent. This includes the Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, as he would no longer be the son of the monarch. The Wales title is a recreation when the heir is male, so it is not automatically handed over.

Titles of the Current Monarch and King

The King of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland currently holds a diverse array of titles, including:

King of fourteen other countries Head of the Church of England Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s forces

William's ascension would secure these roles, although the specific titles like Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay are reserved for the eldest child of the monarch.

Autumn 2022: Evidence of Succession

The Queen's passing on September 8, 2022, effectively answered these questions. Prince William became the Duke of Cornwall as Prince Charles immediately ascended to the throne. This transition also resulted in William inheriting the lower titles that Prince Charles dropped. Subsequently, King Charles III appointed Prince William the Prince of Wales, securing his position as the heir to the throne.

With his role as the heir to the throne, Prince William also automatically became the Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, and Lord of the Isles.

Titles of Prince Philip and Their Relevance

The titles held by Prince Philip, such as Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich, are personal to him and were inherited by Prince Charles on his passing. These titles were not automatically passed to Prince William, as they are not traditionally inherited.

Furthermore, titles like Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, and Prince of Scotland are held by the heir apparent. William would not inherit these titles, as he is not the eldest son of the monarch.

The Legacy of Titles: Their Reserve and Granting

Certain titles, such as Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, and Great Steward of Scotland, are reserved for the eldest child of the monarch and can only be bestowed specifically. As Prince William would be the heir to the throne but is the grandson of the monarch, he cannot inherit these.

The same principle applies to the title of Prince of Wales, which is granted by the monarch. A recent example was seen in 1751, during the reign of George II, where his grandson, George, later to become George III, was appointed Duke of Edinburgh upon becoming the new heir.

While it is possible for William to inherit these titles in the future, it is ultimately up to the current monarch. Any such grants would be made in accordance with the monarch's discretion and the best interests of the monarchy.

In summary, the titles and honors Prince William would inherit from Prince Charles are determined by the monarch's status and the specific circumstances at the time. While many titles can be automatically passed, others remain reserved or are granted by the monarch.