Prince Charles: This is the name the new monarch has chosen

Contrary to speculations, the heir to the throne will not be changing his name now that he’s king.

Prince Charles: This is the name the new monarch has chosen
© Getty/ Chris Jackson
Prince Charles: This is the name the new monarch has chosen

The first decision made by the new king was his desire to be known as King Charles III, according to the BBC. He had his four names –Charles Philip Arthur George — to choose from, and contrary to previous speculations, he did not wish to go by George VII, after his grandfather.

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King Charles III

If the king had decided to go by George, he would have been a continuity for the House of Windsor, seeing as not just his grandfather, but his great-grandfather also went by that name.

Former Buckingham Palace press spokesman Dickie Arbiter once told the BBC, that by using the name George, Charles would be paying tribute to both his grandparents.

It would not just be a tribute to his grandfather [King George VI], but a sort of loving memory to his late grandmother, whom he absolutely adored.

At the time, the monarchy dismissed this speculation saying a decision would only be made when the need arose, i.e. the Queen’s death.

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Getty/ Max Mumby/Indigo

Expected choice

However, not all royal family experts and enthusiasts had reason to believe Charles would wish to go by another name. Their reason being that he had pursued various causes under the name of Prince Charles and so it was highly unlikely for him to want to deviate from that upon ascending the throne. Royal biographer Marcia Mood told Town & Country:

Additionally, many of the British public will be devastated at the loss of the queen, and even those who are not monarchists will be coming to terms with the first new head of state in around 70 years, so Charles will want to promote stability and constancy.

Charles’ wife, Camilla will now become the Queen Consort – the term used for the spouse of the monarch.

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