The BBC has issued a public apology after repeatedly referring to the Princess of Wales as “Kate Middleton” during its Armistice Day coverage. The backlash was immediate: phone lines lit up, viewers expressed outrage, and royal watchers criticized the broadcaster for what they saw as a lack of respect toward the future queen consort. The network acknowledged the mistake, admitting that using the princess’s maiden name no longer reflects her current status within the royal family.

Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III, Catherine’s official title is Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, making “Kate” or “Middleton” outdated in formal contexts. Royal protocol dictates that the correct greeting during a first encounter is “Your Royal Highness,” followed by “Ma’am” in conversation. She also holds multiple additional titles —including Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge,

Countess of Strathearn, and others— that underline her senior position within the monarchy. Courtesy gestures remain essential: men bow their heads slightly, while women perform a small curtsy. The episode reignites familiar questions about who must bow or curtsy to whom within the royal hierarchy. In official events, Meghan Markle, as the wife of the king’s younger son, ranks below Catherine and would theoretically be expected to curtsy. In private settings, however, such rules are often relaxed among senior royals.

Even the Princess of Wales must curtsy to the king, the queen consort, and visiting foreign monarchs. Regarding surnames, members of the royal family generally do not use them, resorting to “Wales” only when required for administrative or educational purposes. The BBC’s mistake shows how, in the world of royalty, misnaming a princess can quickly escalate into a major public storm.