5 Things That Will Change for George, Charlotte & Louis When William Becomes King

Prince William is next in line to the throne, so it is only a matter of time before the royal family enters a new chapter. And when that day comes, it will not just be William and Princess Kate stepping into bigger roles. Their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, will also see their lives change in major ways. From new titles to greater responsibilities, here is a look at what could be different for the young royals when William becomes King.

Out of the three Wales children, Prince George will see the biggest change when William becomes king. As the monarch's eldest son, George will become the new heir to the throne and is expected to be given the title Prince of Wales. The title is not passed down automatically, though. It is up to the reigning monarch to officially grant it, just like King Charles did for William shortly after becoming King in 2022. If William follows the same tradition, it will mark a major new chapter for George as he slowly grows into his role as heir apparent.

William will not be the only one getting a new title when he becomes king. His children are also in line for some big changes. George, as the new heir to the throne, is expected to take on titles including Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, apart from the Prince of Wales. Charlotte and Louis could also be awarded new royal titles. The decision is ultimately left to the reigning monarch when the children come of age.

William and Kate have been careful about how much of royal life their children are exposed to, only bringing them along for major events like Trooping the Colour, Wimbledon, and the occasional state occasion. But once William becomes king, the kids will be expected to represent the monarchy more often. While the Prince and Princess of Wales will almost certainly continue easing them into the spotlight, the three siblings are expected to play a much bigger role for the Firm as they grow older.

When William becomes King, George will become the new heir to the throne, making him first in line. Charlotte and Louis, meanwhile, will move down the order of succession once George has children of his own. But one thing that will not change is Charlotte's place ahead of Louis. Thanks to changes made to the succession rules in 2013, younger brothers can no longer rank above their older sisters in the line of succession.

Charlotte may have another special title in her future. She could one day become Princess Royal, an honor traditionally given by the reigning monarch to his eldest daughter. The title is not hereditary, and there is never more than one Princess Royal at a time. It is currently held by Princess Anne, who has carried it since 1987. If Charlotte receives the same honor, she will become only the eighth Princess Royal in British history.