It’s a name that immediately evokes British royal history: Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, on Monday announced the name they had picked for Britain’s newborn princess, a choice seen as a tribute to both Prince William’s parents and grandmother, the queen, as well as a link to Kate’s family.
The princess, the second child of William and Kate, will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, royal officials said.
The birth of Princess Charlotte marks a new chapter for William and Kate, widely seen as the monarchy’s most modern, popular couple. But the names they chose are firmly rooted in royal family history. Charlotte, the feminine form of Charles, appears to be a nod to the newborn’s grandfather, Prince Charles. The baby’s middle names honor Queen Elizabeth II, the infant’s 89-year-old great-grandmother, and the late Princess Diana, William’s mother and the baby’s grandmother.
Charlotte also features in Kate’s family, as the middle name of her sister, Pippa Middleton.
The newborn princess is fourth in line to the throne after Charles, William and her older brother, 21-month-old Prince George.
William and Kate introduced the baby princess to the world Saturday evening, just 12 hours after Kate checked into St. Mary’s Hospital in London to give birth.
Her name was warmly welcomed Monday by royal fans. Some were particularly pleased about the tribute to Diana, who died in 1997 at age 36.
“I so much wanted the name Diana to be in there somewhere,” said Munever Halil, 52. “I wanted it to be Elizabeth Diana, so I think it’s lovely.”
Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother, also approved of the choice.
“Perfect names. My 2-year-old Charlotte Diana will be thrilled at cousinly name-sharing,” he tweeted.
Earlier Monday, Westminster Abbey’s bells pealed and gun salutes were fired across London in honor of the newborn princess. In a display of traditional pageantry, dozens of deafening volleys were fired boomed from Hyde Park and the Tower of London.
The royal couple had kept the world guessing about the baby’s name until after both sets of grandparents got a chance to visit Kensington Palace on Sunday to meet their granddaughter.
Bookmakers face a large payout: Charlotte had been a front-runner, alongside other guesses.
“Charlotte was the hot tip over the weekend,” said Ladbrokes spokeswoman Jessica Bridge, who estimated that the industry may lose $1.51 million over the name. “We may have lost a fortune, but we’re paying out with a smile and wish the duke and duchess all the best.”
Britain’s royal history includes several Charlottes, a name originating from French,. Most lived at least 200 years ago. But royal historian Hugo Vickers said he believed William and Kate probably didn’t choose the first name based on distant history.
“To be honest, I think they just chose the name because they liked it, which is what they do and what we respect about them,” he said.
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