Kate Middleton Will Break One Major U.K. Tradition When She Becomes Queen Catherine

Kate Middleton is gearing up for the birth of her third baby with Prince William. While the couple continues to expand their family, there will come a day when William becomes the King of England. If Middleton is then crowned Queen of Britain, she will become the first monarch to break from a long-held U.K. tradition.

According to Express, Middleton will be the first Queen of England to hold a college degree. Middleton received a History of Arts degree from St. Andrews in Edinburgh, the same university where she met Prince William. This, of course, is hardly a surprise coming from Middleton, who was also the oldest bride in the history of the royal family when she wed William at 29 years old.

Middleton also doesn’t come from a noble family. Her mom worked as an air hostess and currently operates a party supply store. Middleton’s sister, Pippa, wed a millionaire named James Matthews this past summer. If Middleton is granted the title of queen, her name will be changed to Catherine. Middleton currently holds the title of Duchess of Cambridge, though she also goes by the name Countess of Strathearn in Scotland and Lady Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland.

Middleton and William tied the knot back in 2011. According to Refinery 29, William chose not to wear a wedding ring for the ceremony. It is common for members of the royal family to forgo wedding bands. Prince Philip, for example, hasn’t worn a wedding ring for the past 50 years. That said, Prince Charles decided to wear a wedding ring for both of his weddings: first with Princess Dianna and later with Camilla Parker Bowles.

Although the wedding ring is optional for members of the royal family, David Miller, an expert on royal etiquette, claims that wearing less jewelry is valued within members of the upper-class. This might be one reason why William has decided not to wear a wedding ring. There’s also the fact that William and Middleton like to do things their own way.

When they exchanged vows, for instance, Kate Middleton did not include the word “obey.” Whether or not this trend will continue once William becomes king is yet to be seen.

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