Many children in the British royal family carry their names as a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth II. However, the influence of royal legacies extends beyond just the Queen, as several other family members are similarly honoured through naming choices.
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Princess Charlotte and Princess Lilibet provide notable examples of this trend. Both young royals share the middle name Diana, serving as a tribute to their grandmother, Princess Diana, who passed away in August 1997 at a young age of 36. This conscious decision reflects the family’s desire to remember their loved ones through their children’s names.
More recently, Princess Eugenie welcomed her daughter Adelaide, born on 3 August 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal. The name choice holds special significance, as Adelaide’s first middle name, Elizabeth, is a direct homage to Queen Elizabeth II. The couple opted to reveal the baby’s name two weeks post-birth, highlighting their deep affection for the monarch. “We are so happy to share Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank,” Eugenie announced on Instagram, noting that the name embodies the couple’s love for both English and Portuguese cultures.
Adelaide is not the only royal sibling carrying the Queen’s spirit through their name. Her older brother, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, born in February 2021, bears a name steeped in royal history and family connection. His first name is linked to Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, while his middle names, Philip and Hawke, pay tribute to Prince Philip and a familial ancestor, respectively.
Prince George, the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, also reflects royal connections in his name. Born in July 2013, George’s first name honours his great-grandfather, King George VI. He carries the middle name Alexander, a nod to the Queen’s own middle name, and his third name, Louis, invokes Lord Louis Mountbatten, a figure highly regarded by both his father, Prince William, and his late mother, Diana.
Following closely in George’s footsteps is his sister, Princess Charlotte. Her name, bestowed in May 2015, is quite significant. It not only honors her grandfather, King Charles, through the feminine version of his name, but also pays homage to two influential figures in her family’s history: her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and her late grandmother, Princess Diana.
Prince Louis, born in April 2018, also exemplifies this trend. His namesake reflects a rich tapestry of royal tribute, with his first name connecting to Lord Louis Mountbatten. His second name, Arthur, refers to the legendary King Arthur, while his third name, Charles, directly honours his grandfather, the King.
Across the pond, in California, another royal lineage continues through name selection. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opted for a more modern approach with their son, Archie, whose name does not reference royal heritage. However, with the arrival of their daughter, Lilibet, in June 2021, they decided to honour the Queen by naming her after the monarch’s childhood nickname, while also incorporating another tribute to Diana in her middle name.
Further illustrating the tradition of regal name choices, Princess Beatrice welcomed her daughter, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, in September 2021. The inclusion of the name Elizabeth speaks to her familial ties and respects her late great-grandmother. Sienna’s younger sister, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, born in January 2025, also carries the same tribute as her first middle name.
Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor, born in November 2003, showcases a combination of royal significance through her names. Notably, her middle names Alice and Elizabeth pay homage to her great-grandmother and grandmother, respectively.
Finally, the Earl of Wessex, James, was born in December 2007, and his name reflects similar honouring practices seen in the family. His full name, James Alexander Philip Theo Mountbatten-Windsor, includes a nod to his late grandfather, Prince Philip, in his middle name.
The naming practices within the British royal family clearly illustrate a deep reverence for their rich heritage, ensuring that the legacy of beloved family members continues through the names of the younger generations. With each name carrying a story, the continuity of royal history is firmly etched within the family tree, merging tradition with heartfelt sentiment.