This is Prince William’s title in Scotland and I love the history of it

William and Kate are known around the world as the Prince and Princess of Wales. In Scotland, they actually use a different title – the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. As they start their stay in Balmoral for the summer, that’s a name they both have to get used to again.

Many members of the Royal Family have Scottish titles which they use in preference to others while in the country. After their marriage, William and Kate were known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland. But one event changed that forever.

Prince William’s title in Scotland

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, Prince William became heir to the throne. He immediately assumed the traditional title of an heir to the throne of England and became Duke of Cornwall.

For the first day following the accession of King Charles III, the couple were known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and of Cambridge. Within 24 hours of becoming King, Charles III made his elder son the Prince of Wales.

However, by then, William had also assumed another title. He was also Duke of Rothesay, the title traditionally held by the heir to the Scottish throne.

The dukedom dates back to 1398 when the son of Robert III of Scotland, David Stewart, first held the title. After his death, his brother James, who later became King James I, received the dukedom. From there, the heir apparent to the Scottish Crown inherited the dukedom. In 1469, an Act of the Parliament of Scotland confirmed the pattern.

Following the union of the crowns, the style of the Duke of Rothesay appeared to drop out of usage in favour of the Prince of Wales title. Queen Victoria mandated the title be used to refer to her oldest son and the heir apparent when in Scotland. Since then, the usage has continued.

The 1469 Act of the Parliament of Scotland states if the first-born “Prince of the King of Scots for ever” should hold dukedom, and if they die before they are king, the heir does not inherit the title. This is because the title is only for the first-born son. If their brother becomes heir apparent, only then will they obtain the title.

The titles Prince George could have one day

It means that when William becomes king, his elder son, Prince George, as heir to the throne, will be known as Duke of Rothesay.

In the meantime, although William and Kate are known as Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, their three children are known by their usual titles – Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince Louis of Wales.

All of them accompanied their parents to church as the family began their stay at Balmoral with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Also seen at church were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence.

The Royal Family was greeted by a parade from the Balaklava company on their arrival at Crathie Kirk.