If King Charles had his way Prince William would have have been named after mythical hero
LONDON, ENGLAND: Prince William will receive the title of King William IV after ascending the throne, but his name as a monarch could have been entirely different if King Charles had managed to have his way. The 74-year-old Charles had an intriguing wish to name his firstborn, Arthur – the same name as the legendary, fictional hero who presided over Britain in medieval times.
Princess Diana, however, objected to his proposal and suggested the name William, which is akin to 'William the Conqueror,' victor of the famed Battle of Hastings in 1066, revealed royal historian Robert Lacey, author of the best-selling Battle of Brothers, according to the People. When Diana and Charles’ first son was born in June 1982, a compromise was reached, and William was chosen as his first name. King Charles’ preferred name was not entirely rejected, as Arthur became Prince William’s second name.
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What if Prince William’s full name?
The Prince of Wales got his full name after his grandfather, Prince Philip, who inspired his third name, and the name Louis rounds out the mix. William passed down his third name to his second son, Prince Louis, whom he welcomed in 2018 with his wife Kate Middleton. Besides Louis, William and Kate share two children, Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 7. According to Lacey, Princess Diana, who died in August 1997, knew from his earliest years that he would live up to his profound name.
"'He's obviously going to be a great King,' Diana would declare to her confidante Simone Simmons as she watched her son organize pickup games of soccer in Kensington Palace's gardens or subversive midnight feasts on sleepovers with friends. 'Look how they're drawn to him! He's a born leader,'" the royal historian said, according to the People. Diana also won the toss over what to name their second son, who was born in September 1984. Instead of Henry or Harry, Charles proposed the name Albert – the real Christian name of his grandfather, King George VI, who adopted the name after ascending the throne, according to DailyMail.
King Charles’ coronation
This came as Charles is set to be crowned as the British monarch at Westminister Abbey on May 6 alongside his wife, Queen Consort Camilla. For his coronation, King Charles III will reportedly wear a traditional gold silk coat that was previously worn by his mother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. According to the palace, Charles’ coronation will be "a solemn religious service, as well as an occasion for celebration and pageantry". The coronation will have several close royal family members in attendance. However, it is not yet known if Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle will witness the event.