Princess Charlotte will receive a very special title when her father, Prince William, eventually becomes king.

The British royal family has undergone many changes in recent years due to Prince Andrew’s controversies, Prince Harry stepping away from his royal duties, and the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Since King Charles III is not expected to remain in this role for too many years, William will eventually become king, and that will also mean that his closest family members will see their titles and roles change to some extent.

Princess Charlotte could see the most notable title changes. She was born in 2015 in London, and her current title is Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Wales, and she is third in line to the throne.

When William becomes king, the dukedom of Wales passes to the family which will mean William’s three children become the Prince/Princess of Wales.

For Charlotte, however, an even more exciting title awaits. The title of Princess Royal is generally given to the eldest daughter of the monarch, and so far, there have only been seven.

The first of them was Princess Mary, the eldest daughter of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria.

Following Princess Mary, the other Princess Royals include Princess Louisa Maria (daughter of King James II and VII), Princess Anne (King George II), Princess Charlotte (King George III), Princess Victoria (Queen Victoria), Princess Louise (King Edward VII), Princess Mary (King George V) and Princess Anne (Queen Elizabeth II).

Princess Charlotte shares a particularly warm bond with her grandfather, King Charles.

Now 76, the King has been spending more time at Windsor Castle — close to where Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children live —and is often nearby.

“He once wanted a daughter,” royal author Ingrid Seward tells PEOPLE in this week’s exclusive cover story. “I would think he has a very nice relationship with his granddaughter.”

That observation echoes something the late Princess Diana once revealed in Diana: Her True Story by Andrew Morton: that Charles had always longed for a daughter.

“I knew Harry was going to be a boy because I saw on the scan,” Diana said about the birth of Prince Harry, their second son. “Charles always wanted a girl. He wanted two children, and he wanted a girl.”

Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte Share Sweet Mother-Daughter Moments at Buckingham Palace Celebration

Charlotte’s arrival in 2015 brought immense joy to the royal family. As the only daughter of Prince William and Princess Kate, she’s quickly taken on a key role, impressing many — including her grandfather — with her poise and confidence.

The young princess’s innate grace in royal duties reflects the same sense of purpose Charles himself embodies. “She’s a natural and has taken to royal events like a duck to water,” a palace insider tells PEOPLE.

Beyond her expert curtsies and poised appearances, Charles has also been spotted wearing a friendship bracelet Charlotte likely made for him — a small but touching symbol of their personal bond.

Prince William and Princess Kate’s only daughter turned 10 on May 2, on the heels of a year that has tested the family like never before.

In March 2024, Princess Kate shared that she had been undergoing cancer treatment. King Charles’ cancer diagnosis was also announced that February and remains ongoing.

“It’s been incredibly tough for us as a family,” the Princess of Wales said in a video in September, announcing the end of her chemotherapy. 

That video included glimpses of Princess Charlotte and her brothers, Prince George, 11, and Prince Louis, 7, laughing and playing in the sand dunes — symbols of the strength and stability the Waleses worked so hard to maintain.