Archive · 10 Aug 2026
William 'Insulted' by Charles and Camilla's Request to Rename Kate
A new book about the royal family says King Charles and Queen Camilla once asked Kate Middleton to change the spelling of her first name.
They wanted her to write 'Catherine' as 'Katherine.'
The reason was that too many royal signs already began with the letter C. Prince William was very upset when he heard about the idea.
He told his father that the request was insulting to Kate and her whole family.
Kate likes her name Catherine because her parents gave it to her, so she did not want to change it.
The book says William often defends Kate and worries about her safety.
It also says he took action when unkind photos of Kate were printed in France in 2012.
In the end, Kate's official name is still Catherine.
A new biography by Christopher Andersen claims King Charles III and Queen Camilla suggested Kate Middleton change the spelling of her first name from 'Catherine' to 'Katherine'.
The suggestion was reportedly driven by royal branding concerns over too many royal monograms beginning with the letter C.
Prince William reacted angrily, telling his father the request was 'insulting' to Kate and her entire family.
According to Andersen, Kate prefers to be known as Catherine and feels strongly about the name her parents gave her.
The book also says William has prioritised Kate's safety, including suing over topless photographs published in France in 2012.
- Who
- Prince William, Kate Middleton (the Princess of Wales), King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and author Christopher Andersen.
- What
- Charles and Camilla reportedly suggested Kate change the spelling of her name from 'Catherine' to 'Katherine' over royal branding concerns, prompting an angry rejection from William.
- When
- The specific date of the alleged request is not given; the book also cites William's defence of Kate following the 2012 publication of topless photographs in France.
- Where
- The report concerns the British royal family, with a related incident cited in France in 2012.
- Why
- Royal branding concerns, as a third royal cypher beginning with the letter C was reportedly seen as overkill.
Royal Branding View
Personal and Family View
The proposed name change
Royal Branding View
Charles and Camilla reportedly suggested Kate change the spelling of her name from Catherine to Katherine to avoid a third royal cypher beginning with the letter C, approaching the issue from a branding perspective since Kate was already widely known as Kate.
Personal and Family View
William called the request 'insulting' to Kate and her entire family, while Kate prefers to be known as Catherine and feels very strongly about the name her parents gave her.
- Princess of Wales' formal first name
- Catherine
- Proposed spelling
- Katherine
- Reason for proposal
- Too many royal monograms/cyphers beginning with the letter C
- William's reaction
- Called the request 'insulting' to Kate and her family
- Book title
- Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen
- Book author
- Christopher Andersen
- Earlier incident
- Topless photographs published in France in 2012
- Commentator view
- Helena Chard called the proposal a 'nonstarter' and a 'lost cause'