Viewers Question the Sincerity of the Apology

Despite the broadcaster’s clarification, many viewers remained unconvinced — insisting the mistake wasn’t accidental at all.

“A mistake is once. This was deliberately intended to diminish her,” one person claimed.

“It wasn’t a mistake, they knew what they were doing, they just didn’t think anyone would call them out on it,” another viewer said.

A third added: “Another ‘mistake/error’ from the Beeb…it was DELIBERATE! Unbelievable gaslighting and the apology was long overdue.”

Catherine’s Title and Public Recognition

Catherine officially dropped her maiden name when she became the Duchess of Cambridge upon her marriage to Prince William in 2011.

When Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022 and King Charles III took the throne, he announced that William and Catherine would become the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with several other titles.

However, journalists — especially in the US and online — often still refer to her as Kate Middleton because the name remains highly recognisable.

In fact, Google Trends data from the past year shows “Kate Middleton” continues to be searched more frequently than alternative terms like Princess Kate, Princess Catherine, or Catherine, Princess of Wales.