Duchess of York

Duchess of York is the principal courtesy title held by the wife of the Duke of York. The title is gained with marriage alone and is forfeited upon divorce. Five of the fourteen Dukes of York either did not marry or had already assumed the throne prior to marriage, whilst two of the dukes married twice, therefore there have only ever been eleven Duchesses of York. These Duchesses have either given birth to females (not male heirs to the dukedom of York), or they have never had any children at all. It is said that the position of Duke and Duchess of York is cursed, because the title is created every time, or these women become queen consorts.