# Prince Charles- new name **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2004, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055 "2004-02-25T06:00:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jplacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85f322/32.png) [@Jplacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jplacer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/1 "2004-02-25T06:00:11Z")
If and when Prince Charles becomes king, will he be called King Charles III? Or can he take another name? Since Charles I was beheaded and Charles II was smacked around by the Dutch and was king during the Great London Fire and the plague of 1665. It seems to me that the name Charles has not been a “lucky” one. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/2 "2004-02-25T06:18:35Z")
He can choose to use a different name for his corronation if he wants. It’s up to him. So he can be Charles III or Ralph I or Snagglepuss LXVI or whatever else he wants. ---
**Author:** ![Jplacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85f322/32.png) [@Jplacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jplacer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/3 "2004-02-25T06:25:05Z")
I think he should become Eadwig II ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/4 "2004-02-25T06:33:31Z")
How about changing his name to Kee or Key or a variation thereof. I realize that it’s not a traditional name, but it just _seems_ right…King Kee ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/5 "2004-02-25T06:43:33Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > How about changing his name to Kee or Key or a variation thereof. I realize that it’s not a traditional name, but it just _seems_ right…King Kee King Keanu? D ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/6 "2004-02-25T06:44:48Z")
The present Queen’s father, who reigned as George VI, was “Bertie” to his family and friends. He had several baptismal names, including Albert and George. His brother, who briefly reigned as Edward VIII, was “David” at home. Again, both David and Edward were among his baptismal names. Their grandfather, Edward VII, was also “Bertie” to his intimates. In fact, of the 20th-century English Kings, George V was the only one who was known publicly by the same name as he used privately. So there’s plenty of precedent. For the record, Wales’ baptismal names are Charles Philip Arthur George. Precedent suggests that he will choose one of these (although he could choose another name entirely if he wished). ---
**Author:** ![guy-in-corner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5daacb/32.png) [@guy-in-corner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guy-in-corner)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/7 "2004-02-25T09:06:41Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > For the record, Wales’ baptismal names are Charles Philip Arthur George. Precedent suggests that he will choose one of these (although he could choose another name entirely if he wished). Rumour has it that he’ll choose George (I can’t find a cite), so as to avoid the negative connotations attached to the name King Charles. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/8 "2004-02-25T09:07:34Z")
After the shenanigans over Camilla, though, I’m willing to bet that HM the Q would sternly order Chuck not to call himself George, after her father. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/9 "2004-02-25T11:07:23Z")
**guy-in-corner** is right - Charles intends to become King George VII when he ascends to the throne. Not the most authoritative cite, but [for what it’s worth…](http://www.throneout.com/viewstory.asp?STORY_ID=122). Personally, I think he should go for King Arthur 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![curly\_chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@curly\_chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curly_chick)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/10 "2004-02-25T11:15:19Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > After the shenanigans over Camilla, though, I’m willing to bet that HM the Q would sternly order Chuck not to call himself George, after her father. Well, seeing as she’ll be a small bit dead, come his Coronation and ordinary plebs like us will never know what name she did or did not ask him to use, I reckon that’s a bet you are never likely to receive a pay out on. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/11 "2004-02-25T12:49:24Z")
I kinda like King Crimson. **curly chick** : Camilla might _look_ dead, but she’s still moving, so I don’t think she’s really dead. Di died. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/12 "2004-02-25T12:53:43Z")
Er, I think **curly chick** was referring to Queen Elizabeth II, who will presumably be dead when Charles becomes king (she has not suggested she will not abdicate), not Camilla. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/13 "2004-02-25T13:04:16Z")
Thanks, **r\_k**. I didn’t notice the tense. ---
**Author:** ![curly\_chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@curly\_chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curly_chick)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/14 "2004-02-25T13:04:19Z")
> [@r\_k](#): > > Er, I think **curly chick** was referring to Queen Elizabeth II, who will presumably be dead when Charles becomes king (she has not suggested she will not abdicate), not Camilla. Yes indeedy, **r\_k** , that is exactly what I meant, and \*\*Desmostylus \*\* I think you need to brush up on the what the subject of a sentance is. Unless, of course you are the reincarnated Oscar Wilde: “The Queen is not a subject” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/15 "2004-02-25T13:04:21Z")
This [FAQ page](http://www.heraldica.org/faqs/britfaq.html#p2-41) for the alt.talk.royalty newsgroup says the following on the matter of changing of names: > [@](#): > > This is a matter of tradition. No sovereign has reigned in England under a name not given at baptism, and only one did in Scotland (John Stewart reigned as Robert III from 1390 to 1406, because of the dislike for king John Baillol). Until the advent of the Hannoverian dynasty in the 18th century, British princes received only one name at baptism. Since 1714, monarchs have always had a choice. Several monarchs chose to reign under a name that was not their first. I too have heard the rumour that he would choose to be crowned as King George, but cannot find any good cites for it. Grim ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/16 "2004-02-25T13:14:12Z")
> [@curly chick](#): > > Well, seeing as she’ll be a small bit dead, come his Coronation and ordinary plebs like us will never know what name she did or did not ask him to use, I reckon that’s a bet you are never likely to receive a pay out on. No-shit underlining mine. I’d be guessing she’d have had a quiet word on the subject before she croaks, though. George VI, her sainted Dad, did a lot to restore the reputation of the monarchy after Edward VIII threw his toys out of the pram, and I shouldn’t wonder but what she didn’t want his name tainted by association. Everyone will be waiting for Charlie-boy to shuffle off and make way for Di’s son anyway, and I speak as a committed non-Di-worshipper. Oh, **curly chick**? I believe Dr Johnson got there first (though that doesn’t preclude Mr Wilde having said it later, as per the famous “You will, Oscar, you will” Whistlerism) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/17 "2004-02-25T13:32:20Z")
After digging a bit deeper, the best that I could find is the [following](http://clemsonews.clemson.edu/Inside_archive/inside_files.10.3.97/face.html) from an article in the magazine of Clemenson University and then this [page](http://www.nettyroyal.nl/newsfeb00.html) (scroll down to 13th Feb) which claims that it was an article in the Sunday Times that mentioned then news, but the Times website needs subscription to access articles more than 7 days old. Grim ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/18 "2004-02-25T13:41:49Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > No-shit underlining mine. I’d be guessing she’d have had a quiet word on the subject before she croaks, though. She might, but both as a matter of practical reality and as a matter of law it will be Wales’s call, not hers, and they both know that. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-new-name/231055/19 "2004-02-25T15:55:47Z")
How about Kong? or Don? (King Don/Don King) OOh, how about Pin? (he’d have to gain weight) Or Dom, Lee, Ston or Aroo (Kingaroo)? (I’ll stop now) If he could pick his # there is always Friday XIII Arthur is indeed an intriguing choice, and it is one of his baptismal names… Brian