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William, Kate to be Duke, Duchess of Cambridge

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-04-29 15:33

LONDON - Prince William and Kate Middleton have received the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Buckingham Palace said Friday.

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William's dukedom is one of three titles bestowed by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II to mark his marriage to Middleton at Westminster Abbey. The titles also apply to Middleton.

William also became the Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus, which means Middleton will become the Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.

The second Duke of Cambridge, Prince Adolphus Frederick, was the seventh son of King George III. Defying the Royal Marriage Act, he married his mistress, Sarah Louisa Fairbrother, an actress and a commoner, in 1847. Since the marriage wasn't legal, his children were all illegitimate.

The palace announced the titles in a statement Friday.