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Privacy NoticeThe art of naming a new royal baby is incredibly delicate, especially if that baby is destined to one day be King or Queen – and some royals have changed their names for that exact reason Almost every royal name has at least one, if not more, connections to previous royals. Whether it’s William, George, Charles or Elizabeth, it’s crucial that there are no overriding historical associations that could impact their future or draw negative comparisons. This is why many past rulers have opted to change the name they use when they ascend to the throne – otherwise known as their regnal name. And while it may seem unlikely, this is an option that would be available to Prince George when his time as King arrives.
Prince George could change his name one day if he wanted to
(Image: 2023 Max Mumby/Indigo)
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There are several names linked with the Royal Family that have been marred by misfortune and are likely to be avoided for any future monarch. The prime example of this is the name Richard. King Richard I (more commonly known as Richard the Lionheart) was killed in battle, the second was overthrown, and Richard III is still associated with the disappearance of his nephews and was slain at the Battle of Bosworth, reports the Mirror. The same concept applies to the name Charles – with many predicting that the King would choose one of his middle names when he ascended just over a year ago. For such a common name, it’s surprising that there had only been two kings named Charles before King Charles – but to say both had eventful reigns would be putting it mildly.
It was questioned whether King Charles would choose a different regnal name
(Image: (Image: Getty))
Charles I is most known for his overthrow by Oliver Cromwell following his defeat in the English Civil War in 1645. His belief in the Divine Right of Kings, which suggested that his authority to rule was granted directly by God and not accountable to Parliament, tarnished his personal reputation. After being captured by Cromwell, Charles I met a grisly end when he was beheaded outside the Palace of Whitehall in 1649. His son, Charles II, returned from exile when the monarchy was reinstated in 1660 and was well-liked. However, his reign was seen as equally unfortunate as his father’s due to his inability to produce a legitimate heir and the occurrence of both the Great Plague in 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666 during his time as king. It’s not uncommon for monarchs to adopt a different regnal name than their birth name. Queen Victoria, born Princess Alexandrina, chose the name Victoria as it was thought Alexandrina sounded too foreign for a British queen.
King George VI was born Prince Albert
(Image: Mondadori via Getty Images)
The late Queen’s father also opted for a different regnal name. He was born Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George on December 14, 1895. Prince Albert, after his elder brother King Edward VIII abdicated, took on the name George and ascended to the throne as King George VI. This was perceived as a symbol of stability and continuity from his father, King George V. While the concept of changing their names might seem perplexing in this digital era, it’s highly probable that Prince William will adopt the title King William V upon succeeding his father, and Prince George is expected to eventually become King George VII. Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnPrince GeorgePrince WilliamKing Charles IIIRoyal FamilyQueen VictoriaKing George VIQueen Elizabeth II
