As the Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, many royal watchers will notice they are being referred to by different titles.
While they are best known across the United Kingdom as the Prince and Princess of Wales, in Scotland the couple are officially styled as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay.
The title reflects Scotland’s distinct constitutional and royal traditions and is used whenever the heir to the throne is undertaking official engagements north of the border.
Prince William automatically became Duke of Rothesay on 8 September 2022, the moment King Charles III acceded to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. For a brief period, William and Catherine were known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge before the King formally created his son Prince of Wales the following day.
The Dukedom of Rothesay has a history stretching back more than six centuries. It was first created in 1398 for David Stewart, the eldest son of King Robert III of Scotland, and has traditionally belonged to the heir apparent to the Scottish throne ever since.
The succession to the title was formally established by an Act of the Parliament of Scotland in 1469, ensuring it would pass to the monarch’s eldest son and heir.
Although the title became less prominent after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, Queen Victoria revived the custom of using Duke of Rothesay whenever the heir apparent was in Scotland. Every heir to the throne since has followed that tradition.
The title is one of several Scottish honours automatically held by the heir to the throne, alongside others including Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.
William and Catherine’s visit to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games is therefore being undertaken in their capacity as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, reflecting Scotland’s unique place within the United Kingdom and its enduring royal traditions.
The royal couple are expected to watch a number of sporting events during their visit before meeting athletes representing Team Wales and their families.
