Prince George may inherit ‘tragic’ Duke of Cambridge title from dad William

The title has been held by eight royals since its creation in the 1600s

Prince George or his brother Prince Louis could be set to inherit an “unlucky” royal title when they are older – the title of the Duke of Cambridge, according to reports.

Their father Prince William currently holds the title but is also known as the Prince of Wales which is higher, therefore, what he traditionally is referred to.

But although it has not brought him any ill gains, reports on the history of the Dukedom of Cambridge describe it as “tainted with sadness”.
Prince William still holds the title of the Duke of Cambridge (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Dark history of the Duke of Cambridge title

The title dates back to the reign of Charles II, who ascended the throne in 1630. Prince William is the eighth royal to be granted it, but it has been blighted by tragedy.

Within 17 years of the title’s creation, there were four different holders. The first royal set to be granted the title of Duke of Cambridge by Charles II was Charles Stuart.

He was the eldest nephew of the king, with his father James being The Duke Of York, but he sadly passed away aged just six months old after contracting smallpox. Baby Charles was so young when he passed away that he was never formally given the title.

His brother, James Stuart, was next to become the Duke of Cambridge. However, he passed away aged just three. It is thought he either contracted smallpox or the bubonic plague.

The king’s third eldest nephew, Edgar, was then given the title. But again, he tragically passed away three months shy of his fourth birthday. It is not known why he passed away.

The title of Duke of Cambridge once again became extinct.

A few years later, the Duke of York went on to have another son called Charles, this time with his second wife. Again, the title was set to be formerly granted to the tot but he passed away just 35 days after his birth. Following such heartbreak, the title once again became extinct – this time for 29 years.
Prince George is thought to be next in line to become the Duke of Cambridge (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Title became extinct for centuries

The Daily Express states: “In 1706, Queen Anne made George Augustus (future King George II) the fifth Duke of Cambridge.

“King George III then made his seventh son Prince Adolphus the Duke of Cambridge in 1801.

“The title was then passed on to the prince’s son George in 1850, although it became extinct following his passing in 1904 because his marriage had violated the Royal Marriages Act of 1772.”

Centuries went by, then, in 2011, Queen Elizabeth II created her grandson William the title of the Duke of Cambridge. It came at the time of his marriage to Kate Middleton, who was also granted the title of Duchess of Cambridge.

Read more: Thoughtful way Prince George was ‘told’ he would be a future king one day
Prince George could inherit the title from his father (Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images/DPA)

When could Prince George or Louis be given Duke of Cambridge title?

William and Kate, who are parents to Princes George and Louis, and sister Princess Charlotte, still hold the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge titles.

Following King Charles III’s ascension to the throne and the Queen’s sad passing, the couple have also inherited other titles. Prince William is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. Kate is now the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. They now also hold the titles of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

William will remain the Duke of Cambridge until he either becomes king or passes away.

When that happens, 12-year-old George is next in line to inherit it. If George ends up being granted the title of Prince of Wales earlier, due to William’s ascension or passing, then it could go to his brother Louis, five.

Or they may decide to follow in Prince Edward’s footsteps. The Duke of Edinburgh didn’t want his children to have HRH or prince and princess titles so they could have more of a normal upbringing. Instead his children are known as James, Earl of Wessex (Viscount Severn) and Lady Louise Windsor.
Prince William and Princess Kate still hold the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Titles were given to royals as gifts

However, as the late Queen bestowed the Cambridge title to William and Kate on the day of their wedding – he may not choose to pass it on.

Elizabeth also gave his brother Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a title for their wedding day in 2018, Sussex.

William may choose to follow tradition and leave the title until his children tie the knot, and even then, it may not be the Cambridge title.

As the titles were a present from the monarch, they cannot be stripped unless the current monarch decides to do so, or through parliament. The removal of a dukedom would require legislative action through an act of parliament.

Harry and Meghan left The Firm in 2020, and still hold their Sussex title – they just cannot use it professionally. They also still technically hold their His/Her Royal Highness titles but cannot use this in a public capacity.