By Jane Nambi

After the news that the Duke and Duchess of England, William and Kate were having a baby got out, everyone was ecstatic and the happiness has been extended to the Queen of England who has decreed that if a girl, she will be called ‘Her Royal Highness’ and’ Princess’.

It was made official on December 31 but publicly announced by the Queen herself on Wednesday 9th January 2013, on Kate Middleton’s 31st birthday. “The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 31 December 2012 to declare that all the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of royal highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honor,” the London Gazette published.

Without the new decree, a boy would have been called a Prince, but a girl would have been titled “Lady,” as she would not have been first in line to succeed to the throne. The Queen’s formal declaration comes at a time when Parliament plans to make an amendment that would allow for any royal baby, no matter its gender, to become the heir to the throne of England.

“By issuing a formal decree to ensure the title of prince and princess to all the future children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen showed her support for reforms to gender equality,” Victoria Arbiter, ABC News Royal Contributor, said. “She also managed to eliminate at least one excuse for any sibling rivalry.”

This decision overturns a decree made by Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather George V in 1917, which declared the eldest son of the Prince of Wales to be first in line of succession.

Kate Middleton celebrated her 31st birthday at home with Prince William on Wednesday.