2007-03-06 07:01:49 · 13 answers · asked by Sandra D 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
To avoid confusion 'cos they're all called Charles.
2007-03-06 07:05:14 · answer #1 · answered by freddy the newf 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Some do and so do not. (Some popes do and some do not and some nuns do and some do not!) There are many other times when people change their names such as at marriage or confirmation ceremonies (both religious for Christians as are coronations). By taking a new name, one is accepting a new role.
The are a number of possible reasons.
When one becomes a monarch, you become a "national personage" as well as an individual. Some people may wish to differentiate within their own mind, family or inner self between the personage and the person.
Sometimes it is political. Most Englishmen will look askance if you mention King Ãtienne de Blois and ask if he were a King of France at a push. That he was French is true but he was the King of England as King Stephen. Changing his name made him a little more plausible. Prince William of Denmark was selected to be the king of Greece but he became King George which is a more Greek name.
Sometimes it is because one does not like the connotations of the name - princesses and princes are often named after a relative who may not be on friendly terms with the new monarch.
Albert Prince of Wales may not have wanted to be King Albert because of his strained relationship with his father, Albert the Prince Consort and it certainly was different from the title his somewhat overbearing mother had intended him to use when he followed her to the throne.
Sometimes, their first name may be planned almost from birth not to be used. Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent and Strathern was usually known as Drina to her family but was formally referred to as Princess Victoria and became Queen Victoria. Many would have thought she had changed her name.
Also, it may be to honour someone. Prince Albert, The Duke of York became King George (the 6th) as an honour to his Father who had also been King George - the 5th.
2007-03-06 19:35:40 · answer #2 · answered by Adrian F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although Albert has been a favourite name for princes it has never neen the name of a king. There haven't been too many Queens of England. Mary Tudor was married to Phillip of Spain and he was crowned king consort but not king regnant. Elizabeth I didn't marry. Mary II was married to William of Orange and he was crowned king regnant as William III. Anne was married to Prince George of Denmark but he was not crowned king and neither was Albert, Victoria's husband although she wanted him to be king. Prince Philip has not been crowned king either.
Victoria asked that as Albert could not be king, no descendant of hers with that name should ever use it when he was king. Edward VII and George VI were both Alberts and known to the family as Bertie. George V's older brother was also Albert but he died before his father.
Charles is unlikely to be Charles III as the previous Charleses ruled at a time of turmoil in England. There is something very safe about the name George.
2007-03-07 01:20:46 · answer #3 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't always change their names, but when they do it's to carry on a tradition, or to honour a former king. Also, royal princes always have at least 4 or 5 names, so there is bound to be one of them that can be used.
2007-03-06 16:45:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don`t all change them - the early ones didn`t.
But since they can take any of their given names they just choose the one they want - it`s unlikely that Prince Charles will stick with Charles if he ascends (mainly due to the fact that the name is less than illustrious) but may take the name George after his Grandfather who also chose the name since he was an Albert.
2007-03-06 21:56:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kings can call themselves anything they want. Sometimes to keep continuity with the previous reign, or their name brings to mind a long ago king with a bad reputation, or they just like something better.
2007-03-09 17:35:21 · answer #6 · answered by Lady Miss Keir 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - they do. But it's their choice, it's not compulsary. Charles is highly unlikely to be a Charles when he's crowned. I suspect he'll be a George in honour of his Grandfather.
2007-03-06 15:12:29 · answer #7 · answered by Away With The Fairies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't all change their names.
Mind you, it wouldn't do to have a King Kevin or Jason, would it?
2007-03-06 17:09:07 · answer #8 · answered by monkeyface 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't think their names are fitting for the honor that they now hold.
Nuns do the same thing, they take names from the Bible.
2007-03-06 15:06:46 · answer #9 · answered by Angell 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they don't change their names
its just a title given to them... a sort of honor to compare them as mighty and good king as their ancestors were...
2007-03-06 15:12:22 · answer #10 · answered by sighspy 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋