To find it annoying how Kate (Duchess of Cambridge) is referred to as Catherine?

[Dongdingdong]

I read an interview with James Middleton today in which he referred to his sister as Catherine rather than Kate. Prince William also calls her Catherine in interviews.

I don't know why, but I find it mildly grating that since she got together with Prince William, her family and friends have suddenly begun referring to her by a different, longer version of her first name - especially when they presumably always called her Kate before, still do in private and everybody else refers to her as Kate anyway.

It just seems very contrived and a little pretentious or something I suppose. AIBU to wonder why Prince William and her family can't just call her Kate in public?

The media like to informalise names - surely no one actually thinks that Princess Diana was called ‘Di’ in private ?

Probably not, but I do think William could be called Wills in private.

I.have two for names it's a seventies double barrell name , but any way I know a few people who have always be known a s their middle name, my friends family has a family tradition of it so she is "Margaret" known as "Susan" her brother is " David" known as "Stephen" etc etc

The media like to informalise names - surely no one actually thinks that Princess Diana was called ‘Di’ in private ?

I can see Phillip calling the Duchess of York 'Fergie' (among other things) in private though.

It's not unusual for family to use long versions of names while everyone else uses short versions though?

I use all my siblings real names when talking about them, and they use my real name when talking about me (we often use childhood nicknames in private but it has been agreed they are to never, ever be used in public). All of us are known by a shortened name by everybody else but it feels weird using a different name for each other. DH flicks between using my short name and my long name, depending where we are/who we are with.

Probably trying to get the world get used to the fact that she is the future queen of Britain. Nobody is going to call her Kate once she does become one.

She's never been referred to as Kate by William or by her family, so why should they start calling her Kate now?

@Dubbadubbadumdum In fact, as a PP pointed out, William referred to Kate as Kate in their engagement interview! But always refers to her as Catherine in public nowadays I believe.

As an aside, I know someone who met Diana at Althorp when she and Charles had just got together. It was an informal setting, and she addressed her as 'Lady Di'. She was told 'please drop the Lady, but use Diana, not Di, I hate it!'

Yes, you are unreasonable and ridiculous, OP. Also, attention-seeking. If you did this in real life you'd be rightly accused of haranguing but I'm guessing that you wouldn't have the guts to do that anyway. A little sticky keyboard is more your metier.

OP might blow a fuse if, as expected, Prince Charles uses the regnal name of King George.

To people who say calling people by their full names and shortenings interchangeably is normal - um, is it?

Yes. I have a long name and also use two short versions of it. Different people call me by different ones. Some family members call me either the full version, or one of the short ones, depending on how they feel at the time. I always use the full name for formal and official purposes, such as bank accounts. In professional situations, I use the full one on paperwork, and when formally introducing myself, but then might use a short one in conversation.

Diana was often referred to as 'Di' in the press. No-one who knew her called her that.

Yes, you are unreasonable and ridiculous, OP. Also, attention-seeking.

What on earth are you on about? How is this thread “attention seeking” and why wouldn’t I “have the guts” to mention this in real life? It’s hardly controversial. What a bizarre post.

I have a long quite formal sounding name.

If it were Catherine, I am called by different people, or the same people at different time:
Catherine
Cat
Kitty
Cats
C (see)
Coco

Even my husband uses two versions randomly.

Who cares?!

Also, I’ve got to lol at all the posters saying “who cares” while taking the time to read the thread and replying.

I know a few people, of all ages, who are referred to by a shortened name at school by friends but their full name by family. And some who use short and full name versions interchangeably.

I can understand why someone in her position would also have a 'professional' name which people refer to her by when speaking in professional settings, or in this case on TV, but then have close family and friends use a pet form privately. It separates the 'on show' person to the 'at home' person.

The media have always called her Kate - I doubt they asked. the media always seems to want to use more familiar sounding names for famous people. Guess they think it makes them see more down to earth and 'one of us.'

I have a friend who is know by about 4 different names between family and friends.

Who cares? She'll answer to any of them.

And quite a few people don't like their given name so use a diminutive or don't like the nickname once they leave school and go back to their given name (or middle one).

Individual choice, innit?

OP might blow a fuse if, as expected, Prince Charles uses the regnal name of King George.

Wait, what? I’d think it was a bit odd if that were to happen, yes - just because we have another Prince George (whose actual name is George!) coming to the throne in the not too distant future!

My cousin is called Elizabeth. Her parents and siblings refer to her as Elizabeth. Some of her friends from school call her Lib or Libby. At Uni, she reinvented herself, and became Liz or Lizzie.

She responds to all names, all names are equally hers. Catherine/Kate doesn't have to choose one and stick to it.

I actually hate that everyone who doesnt know her call her kate when her name is catherine.

William can call her what he likes, as can her family. But her name as a royal is catherine.

Prince philip probably calls the queen lilibet we don't!

Same here william can call her kate in public and too the public her name is catherine

The media have always called her Kate - I doubt they asked. the media always seems to want to use more familiar sounding names for famous people.

Yep - even in her engagement interview with William, the interviewer refers to her as Kate (and so does William!)

Genuine question. Why do you care?

I imagine it is so everyone gets used to calling her Catherine for when William becomes a King and therefore Catherine becomes Queen. Queen Catherine sounds rather more regal than Queen Kate!

Actually I remember that after their marriage in 2011, it was announced that she would from then on be referred to as 'Catherine Duchess of Cambridge' and not 'Kate' anymore.

It's as surprising that William would refer to his fiancée using an affectionate version of her name as it is that royal protocol is very formal. Neither is unexpected.

My father’s name is John Anthony Surname. My mother calls him John, as do her side of the family. His side of the family call him Anthony. His (former — now retired) workmates and people he knows through work all call him Tony. The people he knows through a lifelong hobby all call him by a nickname unrelated to his actual name.

I don’t think that’s wildly unusual.

DSS is always called by a shortened version of his name within the family (even when he is trouble), but his friends only use the longer version. His GF uses both.

Bloody hell. It's her name.