Princess Charlotte is in line for a very unique royal title – but she’ll have to be patient

PRINCESS Charlotte is to inherit a very special royal title once her father, Prince William, becomes King.

Officially known as Princess Charlotte of Cambridge – thanks to her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – Princess Charlotte already holds a very grand title.

Although the six-year-old is also styled HRH, this is set to change and become even more majestic when Prince William takes the throne.

This title, , is Princess Royal.

Traditionally bestowed on the eldest daughter of the monarch, it was introduced to mimic the French royal title of Madame Royale in the 1600s.

The current Princess Royal is Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter – she was given the title in 1987.

However, royal expert and author of : The Inside Story, Duncan Larcombe, explained : “It is a title that remains for life, so Princess Charlotte will have to wait at least until the death of the current Princess Royal.”

For instance, while the Queen was the eldest daughter of the sovereign George VI before she became monarch, she was never known as the Princess Royal.

The reason for this is because her aunt Princess Mary held the title, therefore leading the Queen to be known as Princess Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, despite being one of the members of the Royal family, Princess Charlotte is known by a different name – Charlotte Cambridge – when attending Thomas’ School in Battersea.

This is because in history kings and princes have taken their surnames from their father’s titles – in this case, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

In similar fashion, her older brother, Prince George, is known as George Cambridge at the school.

Once old enough to study, Prince Louis will go by Louis Cambridge.

The historical tradition was also adopted by her father and Prince Harry, who both took the surname Wales whilst in school and in the military thanks to their father’s title, Prince of Wales.

And parents Kate Middleton and Prince William could also see a shake up when Prince Charles ascends to the throne.

While the couple have been known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge since their wedding in 2011, William would be set to inherit Charles’ title of the Prince of Wales when his dad becomes King.