When Catherine Elizabeth Middleton married Prince William in 2011, she stepped into a world of intense formality and royal tradition. However, a new biography by royal expert Christopher Andersen titled Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen alleges that she was faced with a particularly bizarre request from her in-laws, the then-Prince Charles and Camilla.
According to Andersen, the current monarchs suggested that Catherine change the spelling of her first name from a “C” to a “K.” Queen Camilla reportedly felt that having three primary royal names beginning with the letter C—Charles, Camilla, and Catherine, was “overkill.”
The biography suggests that Camilla viewed the change as a “logical progression” given that the public already widely referred to her as “Kate.”
The suggestion did not sit well with the couple. Andersen claims that Catherine was “offended” by the proposal, while Prince William was “fuming.” William reportedly found the idea “insulting” to both his wife and her family. Prince Harry also referenced this moment in his 2023 memoir, Spare, recalling that when the suggestion was made, William’s “face was blank.” Harry noted that Catherine ultimately retained the original spelling of her name.
Despite this past friction, the relationship between the Princess of Wales and the King has reportedly grown significantly stronger in recent years.
This bond was fortified as both royals navigated simultaneous cancer diagnoses and treatments beginning in early 2024. After completing preventative chemotherapy and announcing she was in remission last year, the Princess is now preparing to resume international travel, with her first solo trip following her recovery scheduled for next week.