King Charles was second in line to the throne upon his birth in November 1948, and so naturally was granted a royal title, however he was nearly not known as Prince.
According to the letters patent implemented in 1917 royal titles pass through the male line, and as Charles was royal due to his mother, then-Princess Elizabeth, being the Queen in waiting it was no guarantee he would be granted with such a title.
Fortunately in the year he was born his grandfather King George VI changed the rules to allow Charles and in 1950 his younger sister Princess Anne to inherit royal titles, as they were both born before their mother became Queen.
Royal historian Marlene Koenig told Express.co.uk: “In 1948 George VI issued a letters patent that gave royal status to Elizabeth’s children.
If he had not done this, Charles would’ve been styled as the Earl of Merioneth and Anne as Lady Anne Mountbatten until Elizabeth succeeded to the throne.”
She explained how this rule still applies to members of the family such as Lady Sarah Chatto and Princess Anne’s children, as they are descended from the royals through their mother’s line.
Zara Tindall pointed out in a recent podcast appearance, however, that her mother had also chosen for her children not to have royal titles so they could make their own way in life.
The role of less senior royals has been brought into question recently as it has been speculated that some may step in for the King and Princess Kate as they recover from their respective surgeries.
But Ms Koenig does not believe this will be possible, saying: “Would someone else stepping in for the royals do far less bread and butter engagements, and concentrate more on causes such as early education for Catherine?
“No one else can step in for her. She has her charities, her patronages, the King has a constitutional role. He’s getting the red boxes and he can read them from his bed or from a chair, he can chat with the Prime Minister by Zoom or by phone.
“Events and tours will be rescheduled. All of the working royals have their own portfolios. The Prince and Princess of Wales concentrate more on fewer engagements, rarely opening hospitals or schools and concentrating on long-term issues.
“It would be easy to send a representative to unveil a plaque, but no one else can sit in for Catherine with her charities.”
