Palace Secretly Ordered Media to Use “Catherine” After 2010 Engagement

After Prince William’s 2010 engagement to Catherine Middleton, the Buckingham Palace issued a confidential directive to the press to stop using the nickname “Kate” and to refer to her by her formal name “Catherine”. Royal correspondent Simon Vigar disclosed that journalists were briefed immediately after the engagement, including for the ITV interview with Tom Bradby, to adopt the official name in all coverage. The instruction was intended to align media usage with royal protocol and to present a consistent public image for the future duchess.

The revelation shows the palace’s active role in managing the branding of senior royals and highlights how media practices can be shaped by internal communications.