Insiders believe she is making the move as she prepares for life as William's wife, as speculation mounts that the pair are to announce their engagement.
Kate Middleton, girlfriend of Britain's Prince William, has asked people to call her Catherine rather than her familiar nickname.
Insiders believe she is making the move as she prepares for life as William's wife, as speculation mounts that the pair are to announce their engagement
A friend of Kate's said: "Everyone knows it's about to happen with Kate and William but we were a little surprised about the request to call her Catherine.
"There's a distinct feeling she's started to become very aware of her position."
However, other friends of the 26-year-old insist that she has never been called Kate in private, only by the press.
A source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "No one ever referred to her as Kate. It doesn't irritate her, even when the photographers shout her name out. She's not so precious as to correct them.
"But her family and close friends have always called her Catherine and that's the way she prefers it."
Kate and William are currently on holiday in the Caribbean.
Kate Middleton
