If Diana, Princess of Wales, were still alive today, her title would depend entirely on whether she had chosen to remarry after her divorce from King Charles III (then Prince Charles). Her potential title would fall into one of two main categories based on royal custom and precedent.
Diana's Title Scenarios
The specifics of Diana's title would be determined by her marital status at the present time. Here's a breakdown:
If She Had Not Remarried
Had Diana not remarried after her divorce from King Charles III, she would likely still be known as Diana, Princess of Wales.
- Retention of Title: Despite Catherine, the current wife of William, Prince of Wales, now holding the title "Princess of Wales," royal protocol dictates that a divorced former wife of a Prince of Wales who is also the mother of an heir to the throne can retain a courtesy title. In this scenario, Diana would continue to be identified by the title she held for many years, distinct from the active consort title currently held by Catherine. She would not be "Her Royal Highness" but could still be formally known as Diana, Princess of Wales, or referred to as Diana, Princess of Wales.
- Historical Context: This is a common arrangement in royal families where former spouses retain a connection to their previous status, particularly when they have children in the line of succession.
If She Had Remarried
If Diana had remarried, her title would have changed to reflect her new marital status.
- Adoption of Husband's Title: It is standard practice for royal divorcees who remarry to take on their new husband's title. This means:
- If she married a commoner, she would typically become Mrs. [New Husband's Last Name].
- If she married a man who held a noble title (e.g., a Duke, Earl, or Lord), she would assume the corresponding title as his wife. For example, if she married a Duke, she would become Duchess [New Husband's Dukedom].
Summary of Potential Titles
The following table summarizes the most probable outcomes for Diana's title:
| Scenario | Her Likely Title | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Had Not Remarried | Diana, Princess of Wales | She would retain her courtesy title as the divorced mother of the heir apparent (Prince William), even though Catherine now holds the active "Princess of Wales" title as the current wife of the Prince of Wales. |
| Had Remarried | Mrs. [New Husband's Last Name] or [New Husband's Noble Title, e.g., Duchess of X] | Royal protocol dictates that upon remarriage, a royal divorcee adopts the title of her new husband. Her previous royal courtesy title would generally cease to be used in favor of her new marital status. |
The key factor determining what Diana would be called today is her hypothetical marital status following her divorce.
