When Prince Louis Receives a New Royal Title, Will He Be Saddled With the ‘Cambridge Curse’?

Right now, when we think of 6-year-old Prince Louis, the first word we think of is “cheeky.” After all, the young Prince of Wales has the most adorably sassy attitude and is always serving up major meme material. But there could be a day when the first word we think of is “cursed.”

And we certainly hope that isn’t the case! But royal experts are dissecting what Prince Louis’ future title could be, and one contender has an upsetting past.

You might remember the title of “Duke of Cambridge” as being the title granted to Prince William when he married Kate Middleton. The couple — who also share kids Prince George, 10 and Princess Charlotte, 9 — were first and foremost the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from their wedding day in 2011 until 2022 when Queen Elizabeth II passed away and Prince William became heir to the throne. With his new place in the line of succession, he became the Prince of Wales — a common title for the direct heir. Though “Duke of Cambridge” is still on his official list of titles, it’s not the headliner.

Thankfully, Prince William made it through his main Cambridge years unscathed. But that wasn’t the case for previous members of the royal family. According to MyLondon, the title that has been held by eight royals is “tainted with sadness” — because the first four Dukes of Cambridge tragically died in childhood.

In the 1600s, King Charles II created the dukedom for his nephew Charles Stuart. Sadly, the little boy died at just six months old. Charles’ younger brother James Stuart was then granted the title, but sadly died at 3 years old. Several years later, the King named his nephew Edgar Stuart the Duke of Cambridge, but he also died at age three. Then, Charles Stuart was given the title, but the young royal tragically passed away at just 1 month old.

The subsequent Dukes of Cambridge have lived into adulthood, but it is still an eerie and tragic past. Sure, the deaths were likely a result of smallpox, the bubonic plague, or general mortality rates during the 17th century, but that doesn’t make it any less sad or make the connection any less unsettling.

Royal historian Jessica Storoschuk told Marie Claire that Prince George and Prince Louis’ titles will be dependent on the timing of their marriages and the monarch at the time. She told the outlet it’s “highly unlikely Prince George could ever become the Duke of Cambridge.”

Given King Charles III’s age, it’s not unreasonable to think Prince William will be King when his eldest gets married, and thus, Prince George and his wife would be the Prince and Princess of Wales.

As for Prince Louis, he could not be named the Duke of Cambridge while his grandfather still wears the crown and his father holds the title.

“The only way that could happen is if the title is removed [from Prince William], and it would have to be removed by an act of Parliament,” the An Historian Around Town blogger says. “I cannot see Parliament putting time into that if George or Louis marries before Charles passes.”

Once Prince William becomes King, his titles will revert to the Crown and be up for grabs. But if King Charles III is in power when Prince George or Prince Louis gets married, there are other “extinct” titles that are available. As Storoschuk pointed out, the brothers could escape the “Cambridge Curse” by being named the Duke of Clarence or Duke of Cumberland instead. And I think all superstitious readers (myself included!) would agree that feels a whole lot better.

Before you go, check out all the times Prince George showed he’ll be a great king one day.