Will Kate Middleton Be The Next Queen? Understanding The Royal Succession

Lilian Hickle 17 May 2025

In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing at the age of 96, many are left wondering what this means for the future of the British monarchy. Specifically, will Kate Middleton, also known as the Duchess of Cambridge, become the next queen? Let’s break down the royal succession and how it affects Prince Charles, Prince William, and Camilla Bowles, known as the Duchess of Cornwall. This isn’t just about titles—it’s about legacy and history in motion.

On Thursday, September 8, the official Twitter account of the royal family shared the somber news: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.” The statement continued, “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the monarchy.

Prince Charles: First in Line

Prince Charles, the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is now first in line to inherit the throne. However, this doesn’t automatically mean that his wife, Camilla, will become queen. Here’s where things get interesting. Queen Elizabeth II was a Queen Regnant, which means she ruled in her own right, ascending to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. But Camilla’s role is different.

Camilla’s Role: Queen Consort or Princess Consort?

Technically, when Charles becomes king, Camilla would be considered a Queen Consort, as she is married to the king but not directly part of the royal bloodline. However, the couple decided against using that title. Instead, Camilla will take on the role of Princess Consort—a decision made long before Elizabeth’s passing.

This choice was announced back in 2005, at the time of Charles and Camilla’s wedding. There were several reasons for this, including the controversy surrounding their relationship. Charles and Camilla had an affair while he was still married to Princess Diana, which added layers of complexity to their eventual union. A statement from Clarence House in 2005 clarified, “The intention is for the Duchess to be known as Princess Consort when the Prince accedes to the throne.” The statement emphasized, “This was announced at the time of the marriage and there has been absolutely no change at all.”

A Look Back: Charles and Diana’s Marriage

Prince Charles and Princess Diana married in 1981, but their union ended in divorce in 1996, just a year before Diana tragically passed away in a car accident. During their tumultuous marriage, Diana once famously remarked on the involvement of a third party. In a 1995 interview, she said, “Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.” That comment highlighted the challenges they faced and the public scrutiny that followed.

Prince William and Kate Middleton: The Next Generation

When Prince William takes his place as king after his father, Kate Middleton will become Queen Consort. This means she will be a royal by marriage, and her role will carry significant responsibilities. But before that happens, there’s another exciting title change on the horizon for Kate. When William becomes next in line to the throne, his title will automatically shift to Prince of Wales—a historic title previously held by Charles. It’s been reported that Kate will take on the title of Princess of Wales, paying homage to William’s late mother, Princess Diana, who held the title before her tragic passing.

So, while Kate won’t immediately become queen, her journey through the ranks of royalty is just beginning. Each step in this process carries weight, tradition, and the promise of a new era for the monarchy.