Kate Middleton has become Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge after marrying Prince William. The announcement came in a statement issued on Friday by Buckingham Palace.

Meanwhile, Prince William has received the title of the Duke of Cambridge, one of three titles bestowed by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II to mark his marriage to Middleton. The titles, which also apply to Middleton, were officially announced prior to the couple's wedding ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey.

The title of duke is the highest rank below that of monarch in the British nobility.

The prince also received the titles of Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus. Those "gifts" made Middleton the Countess of Strathearn and Baroness Carrickfergus.

In the weeks leading up to these historic nuptials, considerable speculation surfaced over the royal titles that Will and Kate would receive.

Over the centuries, tradition has dictated that the royal men receive a title following their wedding. The title is decided upon and granted by the country's monarch.

Prince Andrew, for example, became the Duke of York after he married Sarah Ferguson in 1986. That instantly turned Ferguson into the Duchess of York.

Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, received the title of Earl of Wessex when he married public relations manager Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999.

That gift made Edward's wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Will and Kate now Duke and Duchess

A dukedom for Prince William was always expected.

Throughout the couple's engagement, royal experts had suggested many possible titles including the Duke of Clarence, Duke of Connaught, and the Duke of Sussex. Other possibilities included the Duke of Kendal, Avondale and Strathearn.

Some royal insiders speculated that the Duke of Connaught may have been an interesting front-runner. That title was bestowed on the son of Queen Victoria and died with the last holder in the 1940s.

The title of Duke of Cambridge was also a strong contender.

Named after the city of Cambridge, England, the title is occasionally conferred upon junior members of the British royal family.

The title was first used as a styled designation for Charles Stuart (1600 – 1661), the eldest son of James, Duke of York (who later became James II). Charles died in infancy. He was never formally created Duke of Cambridge.

The first officially recognized Duke of Cambridge was James Stuart (1663 – 1667). Stuart, the son of the Duke of York, was granted the title in 1664. He, too, died young.

When William's father, Prince Charles, accedes to the throne it is expected that he will make his eldest son the Prince of Wales. If that happens, Middleton would become the Princess of Wales. The title was used by William's late mother, Princess Diana.

Looking ahead to William's coronation ceremony, Middleton, his Queen Consort, will be crowned and anointed as the Queen Mother was in 1937.

Middleton may be the first new Queen of the 21st century. But she will not be the only Queen Catherine to take her place in British history.

Former Queen Catherines include three of Henry VIII's six wives -- his first Catherine of Aragon, his fifth Catherine Howard and his sixth Katherine Parr.