Traditional, with royal precedent and a nod to both families; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have played it safe by naming their newborn daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
With the news, announced two days after her birth, the betting industry was preparing to pay out an estimated £1 million (US$1.51 million) to punters across the country.
The fourth in line to the British throne, born at 8:34am on Saturday, will be officially known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Kensington Palace said in a statement.
Photo: AFP
Few would have bet against Diana being there. With his mother’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring prominent on Kate’s wedding finger in the first photographs of his daughter, William seldom passes up an appropriate opportunity to keep alive memories of the mother he lost in a car crash when he was 15.
Charlotte, the feminized form of Charles, is clearly a tribute to the baby’s grandfather, the Prince of Wales.
Elizabeth, chosen in tribute to the queen in the year she overtakes Victoria as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, will delight the 89-year-old, who has yet to meet her fifth great-grandchild.
The names are also popular with the Middleton family. The duchess’ middle name is Elizabeth, and her sister Pippa’s is Charlotte.
The choice of Diana touched those who were close to her. Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, and also a Charles, tweeted: “Perfect names. My 2-year-old Charlotte Diana will be thrilled at cousinly name-sharing.”
Some colorful royals have borne the name Charlotte.
Most prominent was Queen Charlotte, born in 1744 and the long-suffering wife of Mad King George — George III — with whom she had 15 children, with 13 surviving. A snuff addict with a passion for jewelry and a fondness for dogs, she in fact had the first name Sophie. A keen botanist, she founded Kew Gardens and was a great patron of the arts.
Their first daughter, also Charlotte, was born in 1766 and later became the Princess Royal. She was eventually married off to a German duke and became the Queen of Wurttemberg.
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