Princess Charlotte’s full name includes two sweet Royal Family tributes

In an insightful revelation about Princess Charlotte’s name, it has been noted that her full name includes two special tributes that connect her to significant members of the royal family. Princess Charlotte, who is currently nine years old, holds the third position in the line of succession to the British throne, following her father, Prince William, and her elder brother, Prince George. Her full name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, incorporates homage to key figures in the royal lineage.

Prince William’s own full name, William Arthur Philip Louis, and Prince George’s name, George Alexander Louis, both honor notable royal ancestors and relatives, linking them to historical or living members of the family. Princess Charlotte’s names similarly pay tribute to important relatives, specifically through her middle names. The choice of Elizabeth and Diana as her middle names serves as a respectful nod to her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and her late great-grandmother, Princess Diana.

Among these names, Diana’s tribute is particularly significant, as it reflects a deliberate effort to preserve the legacy of Prince William’s mother. Simone Simmons, a friend of Diana’s, has suggested that this naming choice is part of a broader intention to keep Diana’s memory alive. According to Simmons, this decision aligns with a promise William made to his mother to ensure her legacy would be honored. She mentioned to Vanity Fair that by including Diana’s name, it ensures that Diana will not be forgotten, even if William himself does not use her name directly in his official capacities.

The potential future Queen Charlotte might one day choose to incorporate any of these names into her official title, should she ascend to the throne. University College London’s Constitutional Unit, in a 2022 overview before King Charles III’s coronation, clarified that a reigning monarch has the liberty to select their regnal title. For instance, King Edward VII chose the name Edward as his official regnal title, despite being known as Albert prior to his reign. Similarly, King Edward VIII selected Edward as his regnal title, even though he was known as David in personal contexts.

Royal commentator Richard Kay has speculated that naming Charlotte Diana might have led to continuous comparisons with her grandmother, Princess Diana. To avoid this, William and Kate may have opted for a more subtle homage through the inclusion of Diana’s name as a middle name rather than as part of her official title. This approach serves to honor Diana’s memory while mitigating the risk of incessant comparisons that might arise if Diana’s name were used more prominently.