How the Duchess of Cambridge is preparing to become Queen

'The people of the UK are very excited' for the day Kate will take on a new title

duchess of cambridge
(Image credit: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge will one day become Queen, and a royal expert has revealed how she is preparing for it.

While it might be a while until the Duchess of Cambridge occupies the throne, it seems like she’s already preparing for the big role.

Duchesss of Cambridge and the queen

(Image credit: OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

According to royal expert Rebecca Long, Kate has been gradually taking on more responsibility so that it’s not a "shock" when she steps up.

Speaking to Us Weekly she said, “Kate’s been taking on new responsibilities little by little over the last few years, so it won’t be a shock when the time comes."

“William and Kate are the favorite royals to take the crown in many generations, so the people of the UK are very excited about it.”

In the ten years since she officially joined the Royal Family, Duchess Catherine has become a patron of 18 charities—from the National Portrait Gallery to The Royal Photographic Society—and often attends royal engagements solo and with other royals.

She even took on the Hold Still photography project at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraging members of the public to document their experiences throughout the pandemic, Duchess Catherine collaborated with London's National Portrait gallery on a hugely successful exhibition, which has now been turned into a photography book.  

However, in spite of all these new responsibilites, Duchess Catherine will not become the official Queen when Prince William becomes King.

Instead, she will probably be known as Queen consort, the title for the female spouse who’s married to the sovereign.

An explanation on the Royal Family website states, “Unless decided otherwise, a Queen consort is crowned with the King, in a similar but simpler ceremony."

When the Duchess of Cornwall married the Prince of Wales back in 2005, it was announced that she would receive the title of The Princess Consort, rather than Queen consort.

However, Clarence House removed this statement from its website. A spokesperson for the royal household said at the time, "Our frequently asked questions are updated regularly. This is one question that Clarence House has not been asked by the public for some time, which is why it no longer features."

Mariana Cerqueira

Mariana is the managing editor of woman&home. She has previously worked for lifestyle titles including GoodtoKnow covering all aspects of women’s lifestyle - from the Royal Family, beauty and fashion to wellness and travel. She was nominated for AOP Digital Journalist of the Year in 2020, and for New Digital Talent of the Year at the 2016 PPA Digital Awards. She’s mildly obsessed with TV (reality TV shows included) and spends far too much time planning her next trip away.