Kate Middleton informed close friends that she would adopt a new name in a “funny email” before she got engaged to Prince William, according to a new biography of the princess.
The name change took place in 2008 when speculation about an impending royal proposal peaked. Speculation grew after rumors swirled that the future queen, 42, was ditching the informal “Kate” for something a little more dignified.
In this The new biography of the future queenRobert Jobson reported that the princess sent a “funny email” to her inner circle and announced that she now wanted to be known as “Catherine” instead of Kate.
While it’s not exactly clear what Kate said in the alleged email, the message was loud and clear: Kate was taking a more formal name for a more formal life.
“It wasn’t clear if she didn’t like being called ‘Kate’ or if it was part of a larger preparation for her official public role as Prince William’s future wife, but it seems she is going by her full name. wanted to leave, Jobson wrote. The name change “only added to the speculation” that William was about to put a ring on it.
The 42-year-old prince finally popped the question to Catherine, née Kate, in 2010.
After the couple married in April 2011, Catherine Middleton became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, it was not until September 2022 that King Charles III gave her the title “Princess of Wales”, the same title once held by William’s mother Diana.
Kate’s name change caused some consternation in royal circles when she officially joined the firm.
In his 2023 autobiography “Spear,” Prince Harry, 39, said his father, King Charles III, 75, once told Catherine: Change the spelling of his name. “Catherine” with a “k” instead of “Catherine” with a “c”.
“It was because there were already two royal ciphers containing the letter C – and they didn’t want another one,” Harry wrote, referring not only to Charles but his wife Camilla, 77.
“There were already two royal ciphers with a C and a crown: Charles and Camilla. It would be too confusing to have another. They suggested making it Catherine with a K.
“I was wondering now what the outcome of that proposal was,” Harry added.
The prince also recalled talking to William about his father’s “advice” at the time, saying, “I turned to Willie, gave him a look that said, ‘You hear that?’ His face was blank.”
In the end, the princess retained her preferred spelling of her name.
The post has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.
Credit : nypost.com