Duchess of Rothesay
Duchess of Rothesay is a Scottish courtesy title. It is held by the wife of the Duke of Rothesay since the first Duke in 1398. Due to the mortality rate and the fact that very few Dukes of Rothesay were of majority or married prior to ascending the throne (if that), there have in fact been only eight Duchesses of Rothesay. A separate Scottish throne has not existed de facto since 1603 when James VI of Scotland acceded to the throne of England when the House of Tudor died out, creating a personal union. The Act of Union of 1707 united de jure the separate kingdoms and thrones into the Kingdom of Great Britain. Ever since 1603 the title of The Duchess of Rothesay is held by The Princess of Wales, who was also the Duchess of Cornwall, the title of Duchess of Rothesay is for her use when in Scotland.
Since under current succession law the title of Duke of Rothesay (like that of Duke of Cornwall) can only be held by an heir-apparent who is also the eldest son of the monarch, no woman can be Duchess of Rothesay in her own right. However, this may change if the current proposals to change the rules of succession are completed.
Duchesses of Rothesay
This is a list of Duchesses of Rothesay.
| Name | Birth | Spouse | Held title | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marjory Douglas | c. 1380 | David Stewart | 1400-1402 Husband died | 1420 | Later married Walter de Haliburton, 1st Lord Haliburton of Dirleton the Treasurer of Scotland |
| Caroline of Ansbach | 1 March 1683 | George Augustus | 1714-1727 Husband acceded to throne as George II; became Queen Consort | 20 November 1737 | |
| Augusta of Saxe-Gotha | 30 November 1719 | Frederick Louis | 1736-1751 Husband died; became Dowager Duchess of Rothesay | 8 February 1772 | |
| Caroline of Brunswick | 17 May 1768 | George Augustus Frederick | 1795–1820 Husband acceded to throne as George IV; became Queen Consort | 7 August 1821 | |
| Alexandra of Denmark | 1 December 1844 | Albert Edward | 1863–1901 Husband acceded to throne as Edward VII; became Queen Consort | 20 November 1925 | Daughter of King Christian IX and Queen Louise of Denmark. |
| Mary of Teck | 26 May 1867 | George Frederick Ernest Albert | 1901–1910 Husband acceded to throne as George V; became Queen Consort | 24 March 1953 | |
| Diana Spencer | 1 July 1961 | Charles Philip Arthur George | 1981–1996 Divorced | 31 August 1997 | Assumed the style of Diana, Duchess of Rothesay following her divorce from the Duke of Rothesay |
| Camilla Parker Bowles | 17 July 1947 | 2005–present | Incumbent |