Duchess of Cornwall

The Duchess of Cornwall is the title held by the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. Duke of Cornwall is a non-hereditary peerage held by the British Sovereign's eldest son and heir.

The current Duchess of Cornwall is Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, since her 9 April 2005 marriage to Charles, Prince of Wales.

Prior to their marriage, the title was normally used only in Cornwall since customarily the Sovereign's eldest son and heir is created Prince of Wales and his wife is styled the Princess of Wales, and it is those names that are typically used to refer to them. In Scotland the couple use the title Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. Since under current succession law the title of Duke of Cornwall can only be held by an heir-apparent who is also the eldest son of the monarch, no woman can be Duchess of Cornwall in her own right.

History

The first Duchess of Cornwall was Joan "The Fair Maid of Kent", who, in October 1361, married Edward, the Black Prince.

Catherine of Aragon was also Duchess of Cornwall through her marriage to Arthur, Prince of Wales who was the Duke of Cornwall.

Before the present Duchess, the most recent Duchess of Cornwall was Diana, Princess of Wales. During this period, she was usually styled Princess of Wales, as have been most Duchesses of Cornwall.

Before Camilla the only Duchesses of Cornwall to be styled as such were Caroline, wife of the future King George II, who was styled “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge” from 1...
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