Australians for Constitutional Monarchy

If the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a baby girl she will be titled 'Princess', according to a report in the London Daily Mirror, 9 January, 2012.

Under past rules, a girl born to William and Kate would have been styled 'Lady' and not known as 'Her Royal Highness' - only a first-born boy would automatically become a Prince.

But ahead of the proposed changes to royal succession, The Queen has taken action by  new Letters Patent to ensure that her future great-granddaughter title would have a title suitable for a future monarch.

The announcement came as the Duchess of Cambridge celebrated her 31st birthday today.

A notice published in the London Gazette of 8 January, 2013 stated:

Australians will be delighted by the announcement that Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge, is expecting a child.

The Royal Couple have endeared themselves to people throughout the Commonwealth and the world.

Whether a boy or girl, the baby will be third in the line of succession under announced changes to the Act of Settlement.

This will be an incentive to governments of the sixteen Realms to proceed with the necessary legislation.

This event crowns what has been an exciting Diamond Jubilee year, during which The Queen’s impeccable service over sixty majestic years has been celebrated in Australia and beyond.

The birth will occur around the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s Coronation.

Australians will wish Catherine, Prince William and the baby well.