The idea that Queen Elizabeth II is no longer queen is strange. But, at 92, the day could come sooner than you think. When it does, Prince Charles will become king, followed by Prince William. And, like all monarchs, Prince Charles and Prince William will mark their decision with an official coronation ceremony. But many want to know: Will Kate Middleton hold a coronation ceremony when William is king? Find out what Kate Middleton's coronation will look like, as well as other ways their lives will change when Prince William becomes king, ahead.
Prince William will become king before his coronation
As second in line to the throne, Prince William's father, Prince Charles, will take the throne before him. This means that to become king, his father must die (or abdicate, but the royal family has already confirmed that this will not happen). Upon Charles' death, William will automatically ascend the throne, without an actual coronation.
Because the ascension is based on death, it is difficult to plan an official coronation in advance. This is why the official ceremony usually does not take place until a year after the heir apparent becomes monarch. Example: Queen Elizabeth II became monarch on February 6, 1952, but her coronation did not take place until June 2, 1953. The reason coronations take place about a year after ascension has to do with both the extended planning and mourning period for the deceased monarch.
Kate Middleton will become queen consort
When Prince William takes the throne, Kate Middleton will become queen consort. That said, she could go through the Princess Consort instead. Prince Charles' wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, has already decided that instead of Queen Consort, she will go by Princess Consort, and Kate could probably do the same.
Her official title could become “Princess Kate”
If Kate Middleton becomes Princess Consort, her name could change to Princess Kate. But she doesn't have to be a wife to earn her princess status. Under royal title rules, after Prince Charles ascends the throne he could make his son Prince of Wales - a title that belongs to the heir apparent - if that happens Kate could become Princess of Wales .
She and Prince William will be crowned together
According to the Royal Family's website, "unless decided otherwise, a queen consort is crowned the king." This means that at Prince William's coronation, Kate Middleton will also be crowned, alongside her husband.
This rule only applies to queen consorts. As the family's website states, "If the new sovereign is a queen, her consort is neither crowned nor anointed in the coronation ceremony."
Her coronation won't be as elaborate as her husband's
Although Kate Middleton will have a coronation, it won't be as elaborate as Prince William's. According to the family's website, the bridegroom is crowned in "a similar but simpler ceremony."
Their coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey
The coronation ceremony is deeply rooted in history and is a big deal in the royal family. According to the family's website, coronations have taken place at Westminster Abbey in London for the past 900 years.
She will wear a crown
At their coronation, Prince William and Kate Middleton will both wear crowns to represent their new status. Additionally, their children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - will likely wear a crown, just like Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret, when their father was crowned.
