Princess of Wales

Princess of Wales is a courtesy title possessed automatically by the wife of the Prince of Wales since the first "English" Prince of Wales in 1282. Because of the mortality rate, combined with the fact that some Princes of Wales did not marry until after coming to the throne, there have in fact been only nine holders of the title since that date.

Princess of Wales is not a princess in her own right

Contrary to widespread belief, the Princess of Wales is not actually a princess in her own right. While some past princesses, for example Catherine of Aragon and Alexandra of Denmark, were called Princess Catherine and Princess Alexandra, that was because they were already princesses (of Spain and Denmark respectively) when they married. Though Lady Diana Spencer was commonly called Princess Diana after her marriage to Charles, Prince of Wales, it was officially incorrect, as Diana herself pointed out, because she personally was not a princess. Similarly Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is not Princess Camilla.

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