Will King Charles Change His Name When He Is Coronated?
Charles, the former Prince of Wales, ascended to the throne immediately following his mother Queen Elizabeth II's death. Questions about his regnal name popped up soon after his ascension, with the public wondering whether the new monarch would keep his name or adopt a new one in the tradition of previous royals. (For example, while Queen Elizabeth kept her given name, her father, King George VI, was named Albert and often affectionately called "Bertie.")
With his long-awaited coronation happening tomorrow, here's everything you need to know about whether Charles will change his name when he is crowned king.
Charles will keep his name.
Clarence House and then-Prime Minister Liz Truss confirmed shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth that Charles would go by the name King Charles III. The official invitation to the coronation also confirmed this title, inviting select guests to "The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla."
His name's royal history.
There were previous reports that the royal had discussed choosing a new regnal name. Back in 2015, multiple outlets reported that he had discussed giving up the title Charles III because of unfortunate associations with previous monarchs named Charles. (Charles I was the only member of the monarchy to be tried and executed for treason, and his son, Charles II is known for having ruled during the Great Fire of London and allegedly fathering many illegitimate children.)
Because of this history, it was reported that Charles was considering using his third middle name and reigning as George VII. However, Clarence House quickly denied those claims. "No decision has been made and it will be made at the time," read a royal statement in response to the news, per The Guardian.
Camilla's title.
Charles' wife, Camilla, also underwent a title change upon the then-prince's ascension to the throne. On their wedding day, Clarence House revealed Camilla would use the title Princess Consort, instead of the traditional Queen Consort, when her husband ascended the throne. However, in 2022, Queen Elizabeth made it known she would like Camilla to be called Queen Consort. Upon Queen Elizabeth's passing on September 8, 2022, Camilla therefore became Queen Consort, with the title often shortened to Queen Camilla—including on the coronation invitation.
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