A suggestion was once made to the Princess of Wales, popularly known as Kate, to alter the spelling of her birth name, Catherine, due to a potential conflict with the names of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Although the public knows her as Kate, she is referred to as Catherine by most family members, including her spouse, Prince William. This name, however, once led to a unique situation with her father-in-law, King Charles, and his wife, Queen Camilla.
Prince Harry, in his memoir titled “Spare,” disclosed that the king and queen proposed that Catherine be spelled with a ‘K’. In his book, Prince Harry wrote, “There were already two royal cyphers with a C and a crown above: Charles and Camilla. It would be too confusing to have another. Make it Katherine with a K, they suggested. I wondered now what came of that suggestion.”
Prince Harry’s memoir indicates that Prince William was present when the proposal to change Kate’s name was made. Harry recollects, “I turned to Willy, gave him a look that said, ‘You listening to this?’ His face was blank.”
Despite the suggestion, it is reported that Kate maintains a cordial relationship with King Charles and Queen Camilla, acknowledging her potential influence on the monarchy. The proposal to alter the spelling of Kate’s name highlights the royal family’s scrupulous attention to detail, especially concerning public symbols and representations.
The royal cypher, a monarch’s monogram or personal emblem, is used on official documents and items. The presence of too many similar symbols was seen as potentially confusing, leading to the suggestion to tweak Kate’s name spelling.
Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare,” released in early 2023, has been a treasure trove of information about the royal family, offering insights into their internal dynamics and discussions. The book has generated significant public and media attention, illuminating lesser-known aspects of royal life.
Despite the unusual proposal, Kate Middleton is still known as Catherine within the royal family and Kate to the public. As the Princess of Wales, her duties, when she is feeling up to it due to her cancer treatments, include various public engagements and charitable activities, where she is highly regarded and respected. The support she gets from King Charles and Queen Camilla underscores the unity within the royal family, collectively upholding their responsibilities and public image.
