After the late monarch's son ascended the throne, Princess Charlotte's parents, Kate Middleton and Prince William, were given the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales, the latter held by Princess Diana. As the new king, Prince William will bring a number of changes to his family. Kate Middleton will be known as the Queen, while Prince George will move up the line of succession. Eventually, Princess Charlotte could inherit the title of Princess Royal. Currently, the Prince of Wales, also known as the Duke of Cambridge, is second in line to the throne.

After becoming king, Princess Charlotte could become a Princess Royal. The title Princess Royal is traditionally given to the eldest daughter of the monarch, making Charlotte the eighth person in British history to hold the title. Currently, Princess Anne, the late Queen's only daughter, has held the title since 1987. However, Charlotte will not receive it immediately, as Anne currently holds it. Royal expert Duncan L'come explains that Princess Anne is the seventh person to hold the title, which was established by Charles I for his daughter, Princess Mary, in 1642.

Although tradition dictates that the title be given to the eldest daughter, it is not automatic. The title was held before Anne by Princess Mary, who died in 1965. The title remained untransferred for 22 years until the Queen bestowed it on Anne in 1980. Once granted, the title lasts for life, even if the holder of the title outlives the monarch. This is why King George V could not make his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, a Princess Royal when her aunt, Princess Mary, held the title.

If Princess Anne still had the title when her nephew William became king, he would not have been able to pass it on to Charlotte. Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973 and they had two children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. They separated in 1989, finalising their divorce three years later. In 1992, Anne married Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence and they lived at Gatcombe Park. Charlotte, officially Princess Charlotte of Wales, may also be given another title, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

It was initially thought that the title, which belonged to her grandfather King Charles, would be reserved for her. However, it is likely that the title will go to Prince Edward instead. At Edward's wedding to Sophie Wessex in 1999, it was announced that he would be Earl of Wessex and later Duke of Edinburgh, a title previously held by his late father, Prince Philip.