Pregnant Kate Middleton: Royal Officials Shoot Down Rumors That Her Dad Is Getting a Special Title (to Go With the Baby Grandchild!)

Palace denies speculation that Michael Middleton could be granted earldom in the wake of future monarch's arrival

By Alexis L. Loinaz Jan 31, 2013 8:35 PMTags
Michael Middleton, Duchess Catherine, Kate MiddletonSTEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate Middleton got a distinguished royal title when she wed Prince William in 2011. But will the Duchess of Cambridge's father, Michael Middleton, become the beneficiary of a similar honor after his daughter delivers the future monarch?

Well, don't start calling him Lord Middleton just yet: Despite breathless speculation that Michael, 62, could be granted earldom to elevate him and his family's stature in the wake of Kate's producing a royal heir, officials tell E! News that royal watchers might want to stop holding their breaths—at least for now.

"No steps have been taken to honour, nor do I have any information in relation to the prospect of conferring a title upon the father of the Duchess of Cambridge," Ian Denyer, the Deputy Clerk of the Crown and head of the Crown Office, tells E! News.

"If such a title were to be conferred by Her Majesty, it would be formalized through this office," he adds.

Speculation about such a move began to swirl after a report in the Daily Mail quoted experts as saying that it wasn't outside the realm of possibility.

Indeed, the paper cites the Crown Office at the House of Lords, which confirms that "hereditary peerages have not been discontinued" but adds that such peerages "are rarely created these days."

After citing several exceptions—including Prince Edward's earldom in 1999—the Daily Mail notes that all that's needed would be for the prime minister to make a recommendation to Queen Elizabeth II that Michael Middleton be bumped up to the ranks of Lords.

With that prospect out of the running—at least for now—we're betting Kate's pop will just have to do with a much different, if no less distinguished, title: World's Proudest Grandfather.