According to the Wikipedia, Prince Charles full name is “Charles Philip Arthur George”
I’m sure technically it’s longer but we’ll go with this
Anyway, if and when he becomes king, can he pick any name as his regnal name. I know some people said, he might rule as “George” to honor his grandfather but does it have to be one of those “Charles, Phillip, Arthur or George” names?
Could he choose, “Larry” or “Tyrone”? Or “Throatwobbler Mangrove” (of course that would be spelled “Luxury Yacht”
I have a vague memory that it’s actually “Phillip Charles Arthur George.” It seems to me that when they were wed, Princess Diana said “Charles Phillip. . .” and there was a kerfuffle about her having gotten the name wrong.
Was it actually the officiant who messed up?
Technically, or in reality? The name you are referring to is the “regnal name”, and in theory, it’s Charles’ prerogative to choose whatever name he likes. However, if he were to choose “John” or “Richard”, let alone something silly, there would undoubtedly be an immense kerfluffle and a lot of pressure brought to bear.
There was some minor controversy in Scotland when Elizabeth II became Queen , as there had never been an Elizabeth I of Scotland. (The king after the union of the crowns was styled James I (of England) and VI (of Scotland) for example.
MacCormick v Lord Advocate found that the styling of Queen Elizabeth as Elizabeth II was covered under Royal Prerogative. I can only assume that picking the actual regnal name also falls under this convention.
I’m no constitutional lawyer, mind.
There was a story a while back that he’d King George as Charles didn’t really work out as a name for Kings in England.
Don’t think it’s ever been confirmed though. He can choose a different name though that’s for sure.
My vote is for King Larry. Or possibly King D’Brickashaw, because that is the most awesome name ever.
Strange, because there’s been two prior King Charleses of England. I think him being Charles III would be an excellent chance to bring back that name, make a nice break in the endless Georges and Edwards.
It would be nice if he went for Arthur, since he’d be the first with that name – the other King Arthur is mythical – and he’d be the second half of Arturus rex quondam rex futurusque.
The problem isn’t that there have been Charleses. The problem is what happens to Charleses.
Charles II did just fine: not only did he regain the throne, but he knew how to keep out of too much trouble with the Parliament. (It was his younger brother James II and VII who lost the throne in the Glorious Revolution.)
Except for the unfaithfulness to his wife bit; that might strike a bit close to home…
We had a thread on this topic not long ago, and APB posted a link to a news item disavowing the suggestion that Charles had already decided to chose George as his regnal name. All of the different articles which mention that possibility all track back to one news item in the mid-90s, which was later disavowed by an anonymous friend of HRH.
I was under the impression, based on Charles conversion to Catholicism, that he would most likely abdicate the throne in favor of his son?
Or am I wrong on that account?
I don’t think Charles has converted to Catholicism. If he had, he would be out of the line of succession: he would not be able to abdicate, because he would not succeed to the throne.
Charles has not converted to Catholicism. If he had, he would be ineligible to be king, he wouldn’t have the option of abdicating.
Possibly misremembering? Tony Blair converted to Catholicism after stepping down as PM.
I watched it live and I remember this moment well. It was just Diana who messed it up.
His name is “Charles Phillip Arthur George.”
The officiant said “Charles Phillip Arthur George.”
Diana repeated it as “Charles Arthur Phillip George.”
My vote’s for Victoria II. Vicky’s such a regal name.
Is there any precedent for what happens if Chucky becomes a Vicky in more than name? (Other than moving those ears lower.)
No, she did, but not that way: his name is Charles Philip Arthur George and she said Charles Arthur Philip George.
What’s wrong with John or Richard?