Prince William, the eldest son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, occupies a prominent position in the line of succession to the British throne. He is currently second in line, after his father, Prince Charles. This position places him in a unique position as a future monarch not only for the United Kingdom but also for the realms of the Commonwealth, including Canada.
Kate Middleton, now known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is married to Prince William. Traditionally, the wife of a reigning king is referred to as the Queen Consort. This means that if Prince William becomes the King of Canada, Kate Middleton will become the Queen Consort of Canada. While her role would largely be ceremonial, it would nonetheless make her a prominent figure in the country's symbolic leadership.
Prince Harry, the younger brother of Prince William, also holds a position in the line of succession, albeit further down the line. His marriage to Meghan Markle, an American actress, brought significant attention to the royal family. However, when it comes to the question of them becoming King and Queen of Canada, several factors come into play.
One crucial factor is the choices made by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle themselves. In early 2020, the couple announced their decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. This move included renouncing their use of the titles "Royal Highness" and any public funding from the monarchy. These choices indicated their desire for a more private life outside the constraints of royal duties.
Additionally, Canada's legal and constitutional framework plays a role. While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been welcomed in Canada and spent a significant amount of time there, Canada's monarchy follows the same line of succession as the United Kingdom. As such, the laws governing the monarchy in Canada are intrinsically tied to those of the UK.
The claim that Prince William and Kate Middleton will one day become King and Queen of Canada is grounded in their positions in the line of succession and the traditional roles of a future monarch and consort. On the other hand, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's choices and Canada's constitutional ties to the UK have influenced the perception of their role in the Canadian monarchy. Understanding these nuances helps clarify why some Canadian reporters have made this claim about Prince William and Kate but not about Prince Harry and Meghan.
