Britain’s Catherine (L), Duchess of Cambridge and Britain’s Meghan , Duchess of Sussex, watch Romania’s Simona Halep playing US player Serena Williams during their women’s singles final on day twelve of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 13, 2019. Image: Laurence Griffiths/Pool/AFP.
Prince Henry? Six royals who don’t go by their real names
From Alexandrina, Rachel, Catherine, Albert and Henry: Did you know that these royals don’t go by their real names?
Britain’s Catherine (L), Duchess of Cambridge and Britain’s Meghan , Duchess of Sussex, watch Romania’s Simona Halep playing US player Serena Williams during their women’s singles final on day twelve of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 13, 2019. Image: Laurence Griffiths/Pool/AFP.
It turns out that some royals – including Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton – are known to the public by names that are not necessarily the same ones on their birth certificates. While abandoning first names is a surprisingly common practice in the royal family, there are some royals whose real names are largely unknown by the public:
Kate Middleton
The Duchess of Cambridge has always been known as Kate despite her real first name being Catherine. It is reported that when she was born in 1982, she was officially called Catherine Elizabeth Middleton. Her name was later shortened to Kate by her friends at school and university. But nowadays, whenever William refers to his wife in public, he always calls her Catherine.
Meghan Markle
When she rose to fame playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits, she was known to people around the world as Meghan Markle. But, the Duchess of Sussex was actually named Rachel Meghan when she was born. It is believed her parents called her by her middle name ever since.
Prince Harry
Prince Harry’s full name is Henry Charles Albert David, which is believed to have been picked by his mother, Princess Diana. However, since he was born he has nearly always been known as Harry – apart from in official documents.
King George VI
Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI was actually given the first name of Albert, with George one of his middle names alongside Frederick and Arthur.
However, most of his family and friends referred to him as Bertie. As the second son of George V, he was never expected to take the throne, but his brother, Edward VIII abdicated in order to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson and he became King. And rather than being King Albert, he chose to reign as George – the same name as his father – to reportedly restore confidence in the monarchy.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria was the longest-reigning Queen in British history before today’s Queen Elizabeth surpassed that milestone with almost 70 years on the throne. But, Victoria wasn’t actually her real first name. Her full name was Alexandrina Victoria with Alexandrina a tribute to her godfather Tsar Alexander I of Russia. When she ascended the throne, she picked Victoria as her regnal name.
Prince Charles
While it is not official, Prince Charles could change his name when he ascends the throne. It is reported that he could change his name to Philip, Arthur or George once that happens, but many royal fans believe that Prince Charles will adopt the name George in a tribute to his grandfather.
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