# Kate Middleton is pregnant **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 3, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859 "2012-12-03T16:15:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/61 "2012-12-03T20:40:15Z")
If it’s a boy, Elessar would be awesome(and a huge marketing opportunity) ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/62 "2012-12-03T20:50:01Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Why “especially if female”? > > Anyhoo, they should name her “Brandy”. Excellent choice but it needs to be spelled with the classic double e. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/63 "2012-12-03T20:59:36Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > children of sons of a monarch (e.g. William, Harry, Beatrice, Eugenie, but not Princess Anne’s children),. The Queen offered to make Anne’s children HRH, but Anne and Mark Philips decided against it. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/64 "2012-12-03T21:11:00Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > The Queen offered to make Anne’s children HRH, but Anne and Mark Philips decided against it. Phillips also declined to be made an earl (as is customary for male commoners who marry into the family). Assuming the Queen doesn’t issue new letters patent any daughter the Cambridges have will be styled “The Lady _N_ Mountbatten-Windsor”, any younger sons would be “The Lord _N_ Mountbatten-Windsor”. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/65 "2012-12-03T21:43:49Z")
Just in case Kate and William are reading this thread looking for suggestions, I’m going to toss this one out: Hurricane Thunderdome Awesome Hawk Most badass monarch of all time. ---
**Author:** ![APB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/66 "2012-12-03T21:55:43Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Why would he be Philip II? Because of the King of Spain who never really reigned in England? Yes. Because, under the terms of their marriage treaty, Mary I’s husband had the title ‘King of England’ during her lifetime. And whether this made him Philip I never needed to be clarified, either at the time or at any time since. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/67 "2012-12-03T22:11:48Z")
I know Mary II’s husband was William III (and there was a William IV later), but that was a very different situation. Anyway, I don’t really expect them to name their child Philip, as we still have a Prince Philip. And a Philip called “Philip” might decline to reign as Philip. Prince Philip Ralph Michael Frederick, say, might be crowned King Frederick, precisely because the English don’t have kings named Philip. Wow, seven repetitions of the name Philip in about as many clauses. That’s eight now. Gah! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/68 "2012-12-03T22:12:19Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > nitpick: Harvey Korman > [@BobLibDem](#): > > Damn damn damn you’re right! How could I misquote Blazing Saddles? To be fair, Mel did write it… ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/69 "2012-12-03T22:17:40Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Also, the kid’s name is not necessarily the name she would use to reign. Edward VII was known to his family as “David”, and his brother “Bertie” reigned as George VI. > [@SanVito](#): > > And people don’t really associate David with Edward VIII, even if that was his real name. It would be seen as a huge compliment to the Welsh – William has strong links to Wales, being the future Prince of Wales and living there in the first years of his marriage (he is stationed there). Edward VIII’s first given name was Edward. “David” was his seventh given name (or sixth “middle” name). > [@](#): > > But I doubt any of that would stop us having another King Edward. The royals don’t really look back at individual records. See Charles. Or Henry for that matter! It’s very unlikely that there’s going to be a (real) King Arthur. John, Charles, Stephen, Richard, and James are too closely associated with unpopular or failed monarchs. Albert is also not going to happen because of Victoria’s sorrow that her own beloved husband wasn’t allowed to be King Albert. Prince Charles has made it known that if he ever makes it to the throne, he’s going to be George VII. William, Henry, George, and Edward are all still good. Phillip is probably okay. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/70 "2012-12-03T22:33:40Z")
Isn’t Arthur viewed as unlucky because several heirs apparent / presumptive have pre-deceased the monarch? Henry VIII’s brother is the obvious one, but weren’t there several short-lived Arthurs in earlier generations? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/71 "2012-12-03T22:49:38Z")
So I was looking at House of Windsor Christian names: The present monarch, descendants, and spouses past and present: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, Queen Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Charles Philip Arthur George, Duke of Cornwall Camilla Rosemary, Duchess of Cornwall Diana Frances, Princess of Wales William Arthur Philip Louis, Duke of Cambridge Catherine Elizabeth, Duchess of Cambridge Henry Charles Albert David of Wales Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, Princess Royal Mark Anthony Peter Phillips Peter Mark Andrew Phillips Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips Andrew Albert Christian Edward, Duke of York Sarah Margaret, Duchess of York Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York Eugenie Victoria Helena of York Edward Antony Richard Louis, Earl of Wessex Sophie Helen, Countess of Wessex Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Windsor James Alexander Philip Theo, Viscount Severn ~ I’m not seeing a lot of firm namesake patterns in this bunch. Both of Charles’s sons share one or two Christian names with him, but this does not seem to be a general naming rule. For now, I’m calling the hypothetical baby Cambridges Ralph and Adele. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/72 "2012-12-03T23:00:09Z")
Any child of William, boy or girl, will take precidence over Harry – they don’t need to change the law. IF, however, the have a girl, then she has a brother next, that kid will then take precidence over her. > [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Also, the kid’s name is not necessarily the name she would use to reign. Edward VII was known to his family as “David”, and his brother “Bertie” reigned as George VI. > > My vote for name, for either pink booties or blue: Stormageddon. Nitpick: Edward VIII was David. Edward VII, their grandfather, was also known as Bertie, since his first name was “Bertie”, the same as George VI. (George VI also had a younger brother whose first name was George. Confusing as hell, isn’t it?) I like the idea of a Queen Victoria II. I don’t think the connection would be that weird – her great-grandmother survived being Queen Elizabeth. What about: Victoria Frances Katherine? Katherine’s another good name. Henry or Edward would be interesting, as there has never been a number higher than VIII in Britain. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/73 "2012-12-03T23:10:34Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Any child of William, boy or girl, will take precidence over Harry – they don’t need to change the law. IF, however, the have a girl, then she has a brother next, that kid will then take precidence over her. At the last big Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, the subset that is the 16 Realms agreed that that they would all introduce legislation to change this so that the first-born would become monarch, regardless of gender. The UK parliament has a draft Bill ready, but not yet implemented. I suppose today’s news hurries it along. It can always be backdated anyway I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/74 "2012-12-03T23:26:32Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > The unborn child would be become monarch, and it’s reign would begin before it was born. Does the law in the UK actually allow a non-person to be the monarch? When they were worried about William IV dying with a baby on the way, they made it so that Victoria would instantly become Queen but lose the crown at the moment of birth (with Queen Adelaide then becoming the regent). ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/75 "2012-12-03T23:28:29Z")
I can’t believe you’ve got this far without suggesting the most awe-inspiring name – King KONG! But I really think they should pick a name with a common feel to it – what is an English equivalent to Cletus or Billy Bob? ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/76 "2012-12-03T23:35:06Z")
Those of you suggesting Ralph: do you mean Ralph or “Rafe”? 😛 How about Bruce or Colin or Hugh or James or Neville or Nigel or Robert or Rupert? Anne or Charlotte or Jane or Victoria or Virginia. Poor Kate! Hope you’re feeling better. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/77 "2012-12-03T23:40:24Z")
Kevin. Long live King Kevin I! Or Queen Tracy would do nicely too. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/78 "2012-12-03T23:49:31Z")
Okay , if its a girl and or one of them is a girl, I want Hermonie to be taken into concideration for the name. Bring the royals into the next century. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/79 "2012-12-03T23:57:06Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As long as they don’t marry Catholics, it should be okay. The previously mentioned [rules changes](http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2098162,00.html) make that permissible, actually. > [@](#): > > The leaders of Britain’s band of ex-colonies, known as the Commonwealth, approved the change on Friday, along with an amendment to the Act of Succession that allows a future monarch to marry a Roman Catholic. Before now, falling for a Catholic meant giving up your right to the throne. (The amendment doesn’t, however, allow the crown to be worn by a Catholic — Protestants only, please.) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859/80 "2012-12-04T00:12:50Z")
Oh God…we’ve got another, what, six or seven months of this to come… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kate-middleton-is-pregnant/642859.md?page=5)