Changes to royal titles after divorce to get new guidelines

New guidelines over changes to royal titles after divorce are to be issued on the authority of the Queen. But Buckingham Palace denied any snub to the Princess of Wales was intended by making the announcement, in the official London Gazette, in the week of her divorce.

The announcement, expected to appear later in the week, is the result of full consideration of the issues raised by the two royal divorces this year, a spokeswoman said. The "letters patent" entry would announce formal guidelines on general principles about the dropping of the style "Her Royal Highness" in the event of divorce. Both the Duchess of York and the Princess have lost the right to be called "HRH" under the terms of their divorce settlements.