Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Prince Charles have different names when they go to Scotland and Ireland — here's what they are

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are referred to as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The top members of the British royal family are names we're all familiar with — or so we think.

Though we hear about the likes of William, Kate, Harry, and Charles all the time, they also have alternative monikers most people won't be aware of.

In amongst their crowded collections of titles and honours (Prince Charles's full name is more than three lines long) are some that only really count in certain parts of the UK — and become their main name when they're there.

Senior, married members of the royal family have these regional titles, which at the moment means Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Prince Charles.

Scotland

All three senior royals have different titles in Scotland, which has a completely separate system of nobility to England, and was a distinct country until 1707.

Prince William was given the title Earl of Strathearn when he married Kate in 2011, and in keeping with that, Kate became the Countess of Strathearn, which is their proper title when in Scotland.

Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland, also made a point of using those names when it was announced that Kate was pregnant with Princess Charlotte.

For Prince Charles, his title is Duke of Rothesay. It was the historic title held by the heir to the Scottish throne before the two royal families merged in the early 1600s. His wife, Camilla, is likewise the Duchess of Rothesay.

Northern Ireland

William and Kate likewise have a title that only works in Ireland — and only in the six counties that make up Northern Ireland, which remained part of the UK after the rest left.

The Prince is Baron Carrickfergus when in the province, and Kate is Lady Carrickfergus.

Southwest England

The Prince of Wales doesn't have an Irish title, but he is the Duke of Cornwall. When travelling in the southwest of the country (Cornwall is the southwestern tip of the UK) he is often referred to by his ducal title instead of as a prince.

What about Harry and Meghan?

Prince Harry currently doesn't have equivalent geographical titles. But, since William got his extra ones when he married, there is every chance the same thing will happen on the occasion of Harry's wedding.

Royal watchers speculate that Harry will be made Duke of Sussex (with Meghan as Duchess), believing it to be the favourite among several vacant titles. There is scant information about what, if any, Irish or Scottish titles the pair may be granted.

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