It’s Official! Queen Announces Kate Middleton’s Baby Girl Will Receive Royal Title

It has been royally decreed! The Queen has officially stated that if
Prince William and Kate Middleton has a baby girl, she will receive
the royal title of "Her Royal Highness" and "Princess."

Queen Elizabeth made a public announcement on Kate's 31st birthday,
stating, "The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great
Seal of the Realm dated 31 December 2012 to declare that all the
children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales should have and
enjoy the style, title and attribute of royal highness with the
titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian
names or with such other titles of honour."

Without the official decree, a baby boy would have still received the
"Prince" title, but a baby girl would only deemed a "Lady" and would
be unable to succeed the throne.

The Queen's statement changes an almost 100-year-old law that states
that only the firstborn son can succeed the throne. It also shows that
the Queen believes that any firstborn, irrespective of gender can
succeed the throne.

"By issuing a formal decree to ensure the title of prince and princess
to all the future children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the
Queen showed her support for reforms to gender equality," explained
Victoria Arbiter, ABC News Royal Contributor. "She also managed to
eliminate at least one excuse for any sibling rivalry."

"There's no question the royal family has needed to modernize in terms
of gender equality, and history shows that women have done very well
in the top job so these changes are somewhat overdue," Arbiter also
added. "There's certainly no one in the UK who could argue that this
is not a very positive step forward."

While the amendment has not been passed by the Parliament, the move
has already received majority support.

The recent announcement has also started some speculation if Kate
Middleton is indeed expecting a little Princess.