- The BBC described Kate Middleton as "Kate Middleton" instead of the "Princess of Wales" during live coverage, leading to backlash.
- Kate was named Princess of Wales by King Charles in 2022.
- The Princess is commonly referred to as Kate Middleton in the United States—experts explain why.
Today in slightly confusing news, the BBC is getting backlash for referring to Kate Middleton as "Kate Middleton" instead of the "Princess of Wales," which has been her official title since King Charles took the throne in 2022.
According to Newsweek, the backlash kicked off after a presenter referred to the Princess by her given name during the network's live coverage of Veteran's Day. They later changed a headline from "Kate and Queen lay Armistice Day wreaths as nation pays tribute" to "Catherine and Queen lay Armistice Day wreaths as nation pays tribute."
So...what is everyone supposed to be calling Kate/Catherine/The Princess of Wales? Back in 2016, Boston University professor Arianne Chernock told Vanity Fair that Kate likely benefits from the public's preference for "Kate Middleton" instead of the Duchess of Cambridge. "It doesn’t hurt her that the American press especially refers to her as Kate Middleton," Chernock said. "It’s precisely her middle-class origins, and that name, which won her over to so many people in the first place. So that reminder can only help her."
She added that there's a particular preference for "Kate Middleton" in the United States, which could be down to a "lack of deference [in the U.S.]. We’re not burdened by the protocol. We can have that more casual relationship to them."
