Earl of Strathearn

Earldom of Strathearn
Arms of Prince William, Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Strathern
Creation date12th century (ancient earls)
1562 (in the Peerage of Scotland)
PeeragePeerage of Scotland; Peerage of the United Kingdom
First holderMalise
Present holderPrince William
Heir apparentPrince George

Earl or Mormaer of Strathearn is a title of Scottish nobility, referring to the region of Strathearn in southern Perthshire. Of unknown origin, the mormaers are attested for the first time in a document perhaps dating to 1115. The first known mormaer, Malise I, is mentioned by Ailred of Rievaulx as leading native Scots in the company of King David at the Battle of the Standard, 1138. The last ruler of the Strathearn line was Malise, also Earl of Caithness and Orkney, who had his earldom forfeited by King Edward Balliol. In 1344 it was regranted by King David to Maurice de Moravia, a royal favourite who had a vague claim to the earldom as Malise's nephew and also stepfather.

Strathearn has since been used as a peerage title for James Stewart, an illegitimate son of King James V of Scotland, who was created Lord Abernethy and Strathearn and Earl of Moray in 1562. In 1631, William Graham, 7th Earl of Menteith was confirmed in this dignity as heir of line of Euphemia Stewart, Countess of Strathearn (died 1415), but was forced to settle for the less prestigious title of the Earl of Airth in 1633.

It has also been granted to members of the royal family in the titles of Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn (created 1766, extinct 1790), Duke of Kent and Strathearn (created 1799, extinct 1820) and Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (created 1874, extinct 1943).

On 29 April 2011, the title was recreated when Queen Elizabeth II conferred the title on Prince William of Wales in the peerage of the United Kingdom.[1][2] As a result, on marriage his wife Catherine became Countess of Strathearn.[3][4] This was the title which William used when in Scotland until receiving the title of Duke of Rothesay in September 2022.[5]

  1. ^ "Titles announced for Prince William and Catherine Middleton" (Press release). Clarence House. 29 April 2011. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  2. ^ Beckford, Martin (29 April 2011). "Royal wedding: Prince William and Kate Middleton become Duke and Duchess of Cambridge". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 1 August 2013. Buckingham Palace said in a statement published at 8am on Friday: 'The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince William of Wales. 'His titles will be Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus. 'Prince William thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge and Miss Catherine Middleton on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.'
  3. ^ "Media pack for the birth of the first child of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge" (PDF). Kensington Palace. July 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 August 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013. On the occasion of his marriage, The Queen conferred a Dukedom on Prince William of Wales. The Duke received the titles of Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus. As a result Miss Catherine Middleton became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Lady Carrickfergus.
  4. ^ Rayner, Gordon (2 August 2013). "Duchess Kate: Princess of the United Kingdom (but you can call me mummy)". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Although she has never used the name, the Duchess is entitled to refer to herself as Princess William of Wales, as well as being Countess of Strathearn and Lady Carrickfergus.
  5. ^ "Earl and Countess of Strathearn". Official Twitter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Retrieved 8 May 2019.