The British monarchy operates under well‑defined rules about who qualifies for the title Princess (and the style Her Royal Highness, HRH). These rules come from Letters Patent, tradition, and special grants. Below is a summary of the legal framework and exceptions, followed by a current list of princesses by blood and by marriage.
The Legal Framework
The 1917 Letters Patent
Issued by King George V, the 1917 Letters Patent established that:
All children of the monarch are princes or princesses (with HRH style).
All male‑line grandchildren of the monarch are princes/princesses (i.e. children of the monarch’s sons).
The eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales is also a prince under HRH style (i.e. great‑grandson of the monarch through the heir).
By default, other great‑grandchildren are not automatically princes/princesses, unless covered by other Letters Patent.
The 2012 Letters Patent: A Modern Update
In December 2012, anticipating the birth of Prince William and Catherine’s first child, Queen Elizabeth II issued new Letters Patent to modernise the rules governing royal titles. The decree ensured that all children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales would be entitled to princely status and the style His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) — not just the eldest son, as specified under the 1917 rules.
This change directly affected:
Princess Charlotte (born 2015)
Prince Louis (born 2018)
It did not affect Prince George (born 2013), who was already covered under the original 1917 Letters Patent as the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.
A Necessary Change Following Succession Reform
This amendment was made in conjunction with the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which ended the system of male-preference primogeniture in the line of succession. From that point on, succession would be determined purely by birth order, regardless of gender.
Had Princess Charlotte been born before Prince George, she would have been the heir apparent under the new succession law — but without the 2012 Letters Patent, she would not have been entitled to be called Princess or to use the HRH style, as she would not have been the eldest son. The discrepancy between succession rights and titling would have created a constitutional and symbolic inconsistency, prompting the Queen to act in advance of any such situation.
Thus, the 2012 Letters Patent ensured that all children of the heir to the throne would bear equal dignity in title and style, in keeping with the modernised principles of succession.
Exceptions & Special Cases
Lady Louise Mountbatten‑Windsor: Although she was technically entitled to be a princess under the 1917 Letters Patent (being a male‑line grandchild of the monarch), her parents requested that she (and her brother) use more modest titles — “Lady Louise” and “Viscount Severn” (now “Earl of Wessex”) — rather than “Princess.” She retains the entitlement, and after turning 18, there was public discussion about whether she would choose to start using the title.
Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester: Born Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott, she married Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (son of George V). Upon his death in 1974, Alice became the Dowager Duchess of Gloucester. However, she was later permitted by Queen Elizabeth II to be styled “HRH Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester”, a unique recognition of her seniority and service to the Crown — despite not having been born a princess.
Special Titles: Princess Royal and Princess of Wales
Princess Royal
The title of Princess Royal is a special honour granted by the monarch to her eldest daughter. It is not automatically inherited or passed down.
Currently, Princess Anne holds the title, having received it from her mother in 1987. Only one person can hold the title at a time, and it is held for life.
Princess of Wales
The title Princess of Wales is traditionally granted to the wife of the Prince of Wales, the heir apparent.
Diana Spencer became HRH The Princess of Wales upon her marriage to Prince Charles. When the couple divorced, she became Diana, Princess of Wales — losing “HRH” and “The” and replacing them with her forename.
Camilla Parker Bowles became HRH The Princess of Wales when she married Prince Charles. However, respecting the public’s attachment to the previous titleholder, she used the title HRH The Duchess of Cornwall instead.
Catherine Middleton assumed the title in 2022 when Prince William was created Prince of Wales by King Charles III.
It is important to note that this is a courtesy title derived from the husband’s rank and not a personal title in its own right.
Why There Was No “Princess Diana”, “Princess Catherine”, or “Princess Meghan”
In British royal usage, the style “Princess [First Name]” is reserved for women born as princesses. Those who marry into the royal family do not assume this form.
Diana, Princess of Wales
Although she was styled HRH The Princess of Wales during her marriage, Diana was never formally “Princess Diana.” Following her divorce in 1996, she lost the HRH style and became “Diana, Princess of Wales” — a courtesy style but not a royal title.
Catherine, The Princess of Wales
Similarly, Catherine is not “Princess Catherine.” Though legally a princess through marriage, she uses the title “The Princess of Wales” and also holds peerages such as The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duchess of Cambridge.
Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex
Meghan Markle became a princess by marriage, but never “Princess Meghan.” Her correct title is “Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Sussex” (before stepping back from royal duties).
Current Princesses
Here is a list of the current princesses in the British royal family.
Princesses by Blood (Born into the Title)
These are women who are princesses from birth (or automatically on the accession of a monarch), under the 1917 Letters Patent, the 2012 amendment, and other relevant royal decrees. They carry the title Princess (HRH) by virtue of descent via the male line.
Anne, Princess Royal: Daughter of Elizabeth II. HRH by birth.
Princess Charlotte of Wales: Daughter of Prince William, Prince of Wales. HRH by birth (thanks to 2012 Letters Patent).
Princess Lilibet of Sussex: Daughter of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
Princess Beatrice of York: Daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Born a princess.
Princess Eugenie of York: Daughter of Prince Andrew. Born a princess.
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy: Born Princess Alexandra of Kent; granddaughter of George V via his youngest son, Prince George, Duke of Kent.
Note: When Princess Lilibet was born, she was a great-granddaughter of the monarch and therefore wasn’t a princess under either the 1917 or 2012 Letters Patent. When her grandfather became king in 2022, she became a male-line grandchild of a monarch and, therefore, gained princely status.
Princesses by Marriage
These are women who are princesses by virtue of marrying a prince. Some use “Princess [Husband’s Name]” in style; others are better known by duchess titles but are entitled to princess status.
Birgitte, The Duchess of Gloucester: Married Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
Princess Michael of Kent: Married Prince Michael of Kent. She still uses Princess Michael as her husband has no dukedom or other, more senior, title.
Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh: Married Prince Edward (now Duke of Edinburgh). Entitled to the princess title by marriage, though usually styled by her ducal title.
Catherine, The Princess of Wales: Married Prince William, Prince of Wales.
Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex: Married Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
In Conclusion
The use of the title “Princess” within the British royal family is governed by centuries of tradition, legal instruments like Letters Patent, and the monarch’s discretion. While the public may favour romantic or simplified forms like “Princess Diana,” these do not align with the formal, legal styles employed within the royal household.
Understanding these distinctions helps us appreciate the deeply structured nature of royal titles — a blend of lineage, law, and longstanding custom.