Sister Morphine
Heir Apparent
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2005
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The point seems to have been made a few times that the formal title doesn't matter, general usage will make the error of referring to the lady as "Princess Catherine" regardless.
With the obvious exception of Diana, I don't actually recall a precedent to suggest that this will be the case.
While Sarah Ferguson was married to the Duke of York she was referred to either by her christian name (which wasn't wrong) or as the Duchess of York (which was correct.)
The same seems to hold for the present Countess of Wessex. I don't believe I've ever heard anyone refer to her as "Princess Sophie" even though her husband continues to be referred to as Prince Edward.
Similar for the present Duchesses of Gloucester & Kent (although there's probably somewhat diminished consciousness that they hold princessly status from their husbands.)
A royal dukedom (or earldom) actually seems to be just the ticket to preventing the error being made!
Not sure I understand what you mean by a royal dukedom or earldom being the ticket. William could get three royal dukedoms on his wedding day and I can guarantee you, people will still call her Princess Catherine, rather than The Duchess of X, Y, and Z. The Earl and Countess of Wessex are rather low-key as far as senior members of the BRF go, and so it's not surprising to me that there aren't loads of articles and discussions referring to the Countess incorrectly as "Princess Sophie". Catherine on the other hand, will not be low-key. She's the future Queen.