Royal Watch News

Michael Middleton to be named an Earl?

Jan 29, 2013, 12:02 GMT

The Duchess of Cambridge

Britain's Duchess of Cambridge's father could get a royal peerage.

Michael Middleton is rumoured to be in line to receive an earldom by Queen Elizabeth once his daughter Catherine and Prince William's first child is born, in order to unite the royal family for the sake of the future heir.

This will mark the first time in 1,000 years that the grandfather of a future sovereign has not had an official title, and the only other non-titled grandfather, the father of Edward IV's wife Elizabeth, was subsequently given an earldom.

The Crown Office confirmed to the MailOnline: 'Hereditary peerages have not been discontinued. It is just that they are rarely created these days. Most recent is Prince William's own peerage - a royal dukedom - in 2011. It's to be assumed that Prince Harry will be granted a dukedom upon marriage.

'Other recent peerages include Prince Edward's earldom in 1999, and the viscountcies of Whitelaw (for Tory grandee William Whitelaw) and Tonypandy (for the former Commons Speaker George Thomas) in 1983.'

According to Charles Mosley, former editor of Burke's Peerage, an earldom would be the perfect fit for the former British Airways aircraft dispatcher. The rest of the Middleton would also benefit; Catherine's mother would become Countess Carole and her sister, Lady Philippa, while brother James would be given a subsidiary title.

He explained: 'Perfect! An earldom would be just about right. A dukedom would be too much - and anyway you have to be colossally rich to support such a title. The Earl of Bucklebury has the right ring about it.'

In order for Michael to be given a hereditary peerage, he his name would need to be nominated by Prime Minister David Cameron to the Queen, suggesting he be elevated to the ranks of the Lords.