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Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, 38, and Prince William, 38, are future heads of the Royal Family and will one day be Britain’s King and Queen. However, despite common misconception, there is one royal title Kate will not get to use when William ascends the throne.

Kate will be William’s consort when he is Queen and will hold the official title of Queen Consort.

However, Kate will not be officially known as “Queen Kate” or “Queen Catherine.”

While royal fans may unofficially refer to Kate in this manner, officially she will just be as “HM The Queen.”

Constitutional expert Iain MacMarthanne told Express.co.uk: “There is a common misconception that Kate will become Queen Catherine when William ascends the throne.”

He added: “However, this is not the case.”

According to Mr MacMarthanne Kate will only become “Queen Catherine” following her or Prince William’s death.

Mr MacMarthanne added: “Kate will only become Queen Catherine by death – her own or William’s assuming both get to the throne.

“As they will be referred to on a day to day basis as HM The King and HM The Queen – their first names will not be used as it were.”

Mr MacMarthanne said that while officially Kate will not be known as “Queen Catherine”, the title may be used unofficially by royal watchers or fans.

He added: “Informally perhaps Queen Catherine may be used but when William takes the throne she will officially become HM The Queen.”

The expert explained how in the instance that William dies before Kate she will be able to choose between three different titles.

Mr MacMarthanne said: “If William dies before Kate she can choose between three dependent circumstances – HM Queen Catherine (e.g. Queen Mary, wife of George V); HM The Queen Dowager (archaic and never really been used); HM Queen Catherine, The Queen Mother (like the last one Elizabeth.)”

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If Kate dies before William, after they have both ascended the throne then she will be referred to as “Queen Catherine” after her death.

Mr MacMarthanne added: “If Catherine dies, before William, but having become HM The Queen, she is thereafter referred to as Queen Catherine.

“This denotes her death, and distinguishes her from a subsequent wife William could take who would become HM The Queen.”

Prince William’s father Prince Charles, 71, is first-in-line to the throne.

While there is still speculation around the title his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will take when he becomes king, Mr MacMarthanne has claimed she will automatically have the right to be known as Queen Consort.

He said: “Upon his accession, the Duchess of Cornwall will automatically become Queen Consort.

“There has been much speculation over this issue principally because of the sensitivities relating to Diana, Princess of Wales.

“This, however, does not change the fact that in law the duchess will become Queen Consort.

“Indeed, presently she is entitled to be known as Princess of Wales, but again mindful of Diana, Princess of Wales the decision was taken to use one of Prince Charles’ subsidiary titles.

“There has been much debate as to what title will be taken when Charles becomes King, Princess Consort being one.

“There is no precedent for such a style, but that does not preclude its eventual use, nor would its use mitigate her legal right to be recognised as Queen Consort.”

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