Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London., OGL 3, via Wikimedia Commons
Kate* has always gone by both Kate & Catherine. Both Kate* and the Palace have said numerous times over the years that “Kate” is perfectly fine. The palace being formal, tends to uses “Catherine.” But, allow others to use either option depending on their preference and the level of formality.
We give readers of Gert’s Royals the option to choice either “Kate” or “Catherine” to be displayed. You can choose this via the Toggle under the setting page.
Below are some examples where Kate* has been referred to “Kate” by the Palace, her husband, family members, UK Government, during official engagements, etc. Included on the list is also instances where Kate* had used “Kate” or has spoken about her preference.
Before Wedding
Pre-Engagement
1991
- Kate* is called both “Catherine” and “Kate” in family video from uncle’s wedding.
- Link (See 3:00)
2002
- Kate* gave a quote to The Saint, St. Andrew University’s Student Run Newspaper, and is listed as “Kate Middleton.”
2010
- Kate* gave an interview to The Party Times, a blog for her mother’s company. She is referred to as “Kate from Party Pieces”. The interview was removed the day after it was first discovered by the press.
During Engagement
2010
- Refer to as “Kate” in message/interview about engagement:
- Palace Press Notice on Facebook (press release uses “Catherine,” but the caption under photo uses “Kate” )
- Prince William in official engagement interview
- Andrew*
- UK Prime Minister (David Cameron)
- Secretary of State of Wales (Cheryl Gillan)
- Serbia Royals
- UK Prime Minister (David Cameron) uses “Kate” in announcement about Bank Holiday on Royal Wedding Day.
2011
- FAQ on Royal Wedding website, had a question, “Should I use Kate or Catherine?”
- “Miss Middleton uses both names equally, and she has never expressed a preference for either Catherine or Kate since her engagement to Prince William. Catherine is the name that Miss Middleton grew up with in her family, and Kate is the name that she tends to use in a work context.”
- While in Belfast for an official engagement, Kate* says, “I’m still very much Kate.”
- UK Government refers to Kate* as “Kate Middleton”:
- Post on the “Relaxation of Licensing Hours for the Royal Wedding: Consultation”
- Post on “Offenders clean park ahead of royal visit”
- Post on “Don’t let health and safety myths get in the way of Royal Wedding celebrations”
- Number 10 Press Briefing the week of Royal Wedding
Post-Wedding
2010s
2011
- UK Government refers to Kate* as “Kate Middleton”:
- Post on UK Troops celebrating Royal Wedding in Afghanistan
- Westminster Abbey refers to her has both “Kate Middleton” and “Catherine Middleton” on their page about the 2011 Royal Wedding
- Refers to Kate* as “Kate” in post about the Royal Wedding.
- Zara Tindall (then Phillips) refered to her as “Kate” in an interview with The Sunday People a few months after Royal Wedding.
- Margaret Rhodes, Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin & former Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mum, refers to her as both “Kate” and “Catherine” in her autobiography “The Final Curtsey”
- Tweet from @ClarenceHouse (which at the time covered Charles, Camilla, William, Kate & Harry) used Kate
2012
- Both Prince William and Prince Harry refer to her as “Kate” in interview with ABC News.
- Link (1:15 Harry, 1:55 William)
- UK Government uses “Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge” in press release about 2012 New Years Honours
- Link (Bottom of page)
- Camilla’s son tom Parker Bowles refers to her as “Kate” in interview with The Telegraph.
2013
- David Cameron, then Prime Minister of the UK, refers to her as “Kate”
- In Interview
- In Speech at Canadian Parliament (“Will and Kate as you called them here”)
- UK Government’s uses “Kate Middleton” in article, referencing William proposing to “Kate Middleton” in Kenya in 2010
2014
- UK Government refers to her as “Kate” in post from British Embassy Brussels on William, Kate* and Harry’s visit to Brussels for service to mark 100th Anniversary of WWI.
- Wimbledon refers to her as Kate in series of tweets.
2015
- –
2016
- Palace uses “Kate” in website post on Kate*’s visit to Downton Abbey Set.
- Heads Together, a campaign co-founded by Kate* uses “Kate” in tweet.
- Kate* tells school children to call her “Kate” during the opening of the Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace
- Royal Reporter Victoria Murphy on Kate* being fine with “Kate”
2017
- Luxembourg Palace refers to her as “The Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton)” in post about Kate*’s visit for the 150 years since the signing of the Treaty of London
- While William & Kate* were on BBC Radio 1, the interviewer throughout the show refers to her as “Kate.” Kate* is asked about Prince Harry calling her “Cathy,” and says she is fine with anything.
2018
- King Harald of Norway refers to her as “Kate” in his speech during banquet during royal visit. Gifts for the couple from the Norway Royal Family are also labeled “Kate.”
- The Royal Photographic Society – refereed to Honorary member “Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton” in Birthday Tweet
- Link (Queen Elizabeth was patron at this time. This was a few months before Kate* would become patron of the org.)
- Kate*’s Patronage Victoria and Albert Museum refers to her as “The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton” in tweet to mark Prince Louis’s Birth.
2019
- –
2020s
2020
- During visit to Bradford, Kate* introduces herself as “I’m Catherine and Kate”.
2021
- “Kate” is used throughout Harry & Meghan’s Interview with Oprah
- Royal Reporter Richard Palmer stated “Kensington Palace has never asked that she be referred to as Catherine.” and that Kate* has said she is fine with both.
- Centrepoint, Prince William’s Patronage refer to her as “Kate” in tweet for couple’s 10th Wedding Anniversary.
- Centrepoint refers to “Kate” 20+ time on Twitter between wedding and 2021.
- Link
2022
- Royal Reporter Rebecca English has said “I’ve had this conversation several times with the palace over the years and they have no problem with Catherine/ Kate.”
2023
- Prince Harry’s book Spare refers to her as “Kate”
- Planter used by Kate* during official engagement is labeled “Princess Kate”.
2024
- Royal Reporter Richard Palmer “She has always said she is happy to be called either. When they got engaged William called her Kate in their interview and their aides called her Kate.”
- Harry & Meghan refer to her as “Kate” in their statement following Kate*’s cancer announcement.
2025
- Victoria & Albert Museum refers to Kate* as “HRH the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton” in post on “Which nine objects has the Princess of Wales chosen to display at V&A East Storehouse?”
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