Kylie Kelce has issued an on-air apology to Catherine, Princess of Wales, after learning that addressing the future British queen as “Princess Kate” breached royal protocol. Speaking on her podcast, Not Gonna Lie, the 34-year-old sports personality immediately corrected her phrasing and committed to using proper royal nomenclature going forward.
The on-air correction stemmed from an open invitation Kelce previously extended to the royal, suggesting the two connect over motherhood and their shared background in field hockey. Once listeners informed her that using the colloquial moniker crossed formal etiquette boundaries, Kelce moved quickly to clear the air.
“I love learning, so I was unaware that calling Princess Catherine, Princess Kate was offensive. I didn’t know that. Now I know that. Now I will proceed accordingly.”
Her direct statement settled an unexpected naming controversy that quickly crossed over from American sports podcasting into transatlantic royal commentary.
The Podcast Pitch That Triggered the Correction
The mix-up started during an episode of Not Gonna Lie when Kelce floated an informal broadcast invitation. Highlighting their mutual athletic backgrounds, Kelce suggested a casual conversation about parenting and field hockey, referencing the existing rapport between their families after Prince William joined Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce on their show, New Heights.
During that initial broadcast, Kelce phrased her invitation directly to the microphone: “Princess Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, if you ever wanted to come on and chitchat about some field hockey and maybe kids. I don’t know. We got a couple things in common.”
Feedback from listeners arrived swiftly. Beyond pointing out the formal naming rules, one listener cautioned that the royal was far too refined to hear Kelce’s typical casual cursing. Kelce readily conceded that point, noting that while she enjoys colorful language in everyday speech, she knows how to adjust her decorum when speaking with distinguished guests.
Royal Etiquette: Why the Title Matters
The distinction between popular tabloid shorthand and official palace titles often catches American observers off guard. While widespread media coverage frequently uses informal shorthand, official protocol follows precise genealogical and constitutional lines.
The Realities of Royal Monikers
A widespread misconception among casual followers is that royal titles can be combined casually with first names, leading many to believe that “Princess Kate” is an acceptable formal title. In royal hierarchy, placing “Princess” before a first name is traditionally reserved for women born into the royal bloodline rather than those who marry into it.
Catherine Middleton became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge upon marrying Prince William in April 2011. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, King Charles III ascended the throne, and Prince William received the title Prince of Wales. Catherine consequently became the Princess of Wales, making that designation—or Princess Catherine—her recognized styling.
| Milestone / Context | Official Royal Title |
|---|---|
| Marriage to Prince William (April 2011) | Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge |
| Accession of King Charles III (September 2022) | Catherine, Princess of Wales |
| Casual Moniker Used by Media | Kate Middleton / “Princess Kate” (Informal) |
| Kylie Kelce’s Corrected On-Air Form of Address | Princess Catherine or the Princess of Wales |
Bridging Philadelphia and Kensington Palace
The intersection between the Kelce family and the British monarchy began months earlier. Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce met Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte backstage during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert at London’s Wembley Stadium in June 2024.
The brothers admitted to feeling intense pressure about following strict royal protocols before the London meeting. Prince William later followed up by appearing on their podcast in July, establishing an unexpected bond between American football royalty and the British royal family.
“Princess Catherine or the Princess of Wales, I apologize. I will get that sorted immediately starting now.”
Despite fixing the terminology and offering a formal apology, Kelce remains realistic about the chances of Catherine recording an episode. Kelce acknowledged the demanding schedule of the future queen, pointing out that an actual podcast appearance remains unlikely even with proper protocol firmly in place.
💡 Navigating royal etiquette can be tricky when informal nicknames dominate mainstream pop culture headlines.
🔍 Did Kylie Kelce handle the correction gracefully, or should American commentators be expected to master palace protocol?
👇 Leave your thoughts in the comments below and share how strictly you think royal titles should be observed online.
