Why did Prince William go from being “Prince of Wales” as a child, to “Duke of Cambridge” when he got married, and now back to “Prince of Wales” now that his dad is King?

Question

Why not just remain “Prince of Wales” the whole time?

In: 0

Answer 1

William wasn’t Prince of Wales as a child; that was his dad.

When he married, his grandma gave him Cambridge as a wedding gift (well, the title Duke of Cambridge anyway).

Once Charles became King, the title of Prince of Wales became vacant and the King awarded it to William.

I’m not sure if the eldest son of the monarch usually gets that title or if it’s more of a coincidence that the two of them have both held the title.