Deciding on a regnal name for Prince William, the future king, may not be as straightforward as it seems.
While many assume he would naturally be referred to as William V, the official royal nomenclature is not always so clear-cut.
The mystery of what name he will adopt upon ascending to the throne lingers, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the unfolding royal narrative.
When King Charles took the throne in September 2022, it was quickly confirmed that he would retain Charles as his official regnal name, following in the footsteps of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who also kept her first name for her regnal title.
Typically, the regnal name aligns with the monarch’s first name, although there have been exceptions.
Some monarchs choose an alternative, such as one of their middle names, to assume the mantle of king or queen.
Queen Victoria, for example, broke tradition by selecting a different name when she became queen.
Despite being christened Alexandrina Victoria, she preferred to go by her middle name.
Her son, following her lead, chose Edward over his birth name, Albert, when he ascended to the throne after her passing in 1901.
Similarly, Queen Elizabeth II’s father, originally named Albert Frederick Arthur George, became George VI as his regnal name.
This choice may have been a tribute to his father, George V, and a way to establish continuity after the abrupt abdication of Edward VIII.
Prince William, whose full name is William Arthur Philip Louis, has the flexibility to choose any of his three middle names as his regnal name.
While his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, reportedly declared, “my own, of course,” when asked about her choice, and his father, Charles, retained his name, it remains uncertain whether William will follow suit.
Charles, when deciding on his regnal name, reportedly gave it careful consideration, mindful of the controversial reigns associated with the two previous kings who bore that name, including the execution of Charles I during the English Civil War in 1649.
The anticipation surrounding Prince William’s eventual regnal name adds to the intrigue of the royal story unfolding before us.
As we eagerly await the day when Prince William becomes king, the question of what he will be called remains unanswered.