Oct 16, 2006, 14:30 GMT
Britain's Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge if they wed.
The fact that the title has been set aside for the couple shows that Queen Elizabeth believes it is only a matter of time before the 24-year-old prince ties the knot.
A royal source told Britain's The People newspaper: "Kate is being quietly groomed for her new role.
"The Queen thinks she's a natural and a perfect consort for William."
William, who is third in line to the throne, has been dating Kate, 24, for five years. The couple met at St Andrews University in Scotland, where they were both studying.
The dukedom would be a temporary title for William, until he inherits his father's title, the Prince of Wales, when Charles ascends the throne.
The last Duke of Cambridge, who died in 1904, outraged his family by secretly marrying an actress.
Prince William is said to be under increasing pressure to propose to Kate, despite stating in interviews that he doesn't plan to marry until he is 28 years old.
In August, the couple visited Harewood Park House, in Herefordshire, amid reports that the mansion is to become their martial home.
The residence is being rebuilt by Prince Charles' Duchy of Cornwall estate and is due for completion in 2010, the year that William celebrates his 28th birthday.
A resident of the area said: "William has told farming friends in the county that he wants to settle at Harewood Park. He goes to shooting parties nearby and knows that the estate offers him lots of privacy."
Kate is said to have taken a keen interest in the rebuilding of the country house, which had to be demolished in 1959 after it fell into such a bad state of disrepair.
(C) BANG Media International
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