Summary (tl;dr)

Kylie Kelce, wife of former NFL player Jason Kelce, issued a public apology to Catherine, Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton), for incorrectly referring to her as "Princess Kate" on her podcast, acknowledging that it was a breach of royal naming etiquette.

Essential Background

Kylie Kelce, host of the "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, had previously extended an open invitation to Catherine, Princess of Wales, to appear on her show. The invitation, made during a September 24, 2026 episode, aimed to discuss shared interests such as motherhood and field hockey, a sport both women have a background in. This outreach followed an earlier interaction between their families, as Prince William (Catherine's husband) had appeared on the "New Heights" podcast, co-hosted by Kylie's husband, Jason Kelce, and his brother, Travis Kelce. In her initial invitation, Kylie Kelce referred to the royal as "Princess Kate, Duchess of Cambridge."

The Full Story

On an October 1, 2026, episode of her "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, Kylie Kelce addressed her previous naming of Catherine, Princess of Wales, as "Princess Kate." Kelce apologized directly to the Princess of Wales, stating she was "unaware that calling Princess Catherine, Princess Kate was offensive" and that she would "proceed accordingly" by using the correct formal titles: "Princess Catherine or the Princess of Wales." This apology came after listeners pointed out that referring to her as "Princess Kate" goes against royal protocol, as the title "Princess" preceding a first name is traditionally reserved for women born into the royal bloodline. Kelce emphasized her desire to be respectful and committed to using proper royal nomenclature moving forward.

Why It Matters

This trending topic highlights the ongoing public fascination with British royal protocol and the nuances of addressing members of the monarchy, even for well-known American personalities. It underscores the distinction between informal public usage, such as "Kate Middleton," and the formal titles required by royal etiquette. The incident also showcases the increasing intersection of American pop culture and the British royal family, particularly given the Kelce family's existing connections to the Prince of Wales. The apology serves as a public reminder of the scrutiny and expectations regarding interactions with the royal family.

Geographic Location

• Isle of Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom (Catherine, Princess of Wales, played shinty)
• United States (Kylie Kelce delivered apology on her "Not Gonna Lie" podcast)