Royal Family News: Controversial Decision Prince Charles Must Make About His Regnal Name As King

British royal family news divulges that 73-year old Prince Charles is his mother, 96-year old Queen Elizabeth’s, heir to the British throne. Charles will be well seasoned to take over the role, having waited nearly three quarters of a century, and counting, to assume his duty.

Tradition is significant to Charles, but will he break protocol in a very major and epic manner when he becomes king?

Royal Family News – When Will Charles Become King?

Royal expert Tina Brown notes that it will be a sea change when Charles assumes the throne as it has been so long that Queen Elizabeth has been in power. As such she predicts the changeover will not be easy for Brits to manage.

According to her, it will be a devastating day when the current monarch passes and is no longer the head of the UK. She told The Washington Post, “It is the preeminent focus of national identity, national pride, history, tradition. And really, I’m not even sure that the Brits know how to be British anymore when the queen dies.”

Royal Family News – The Queen Is Going Strong

Over the course of many months, the queen’s health issues have kept her from attending numerous significant official events. As a result, her successors, Prince Charles and Prince William, have taken on more of her official duties.

As is the custom, British monarchs have the choice to pick a regnal name for themselves when they ascend to the throne. But is thought that Charles will follow in his mother’s footsteps and choose to use his own first name to signify his reign.

What is a regnal name? A regnal name is different from one’s birth name. For monarchs, the name is used to identify the monarch during their reign. Her Majesty has been installed for seven decades, and thus generations of Brits, know only a monarch who uses her own name and may not be aware of the regnal name tradition.

Royal Family News – What Is A Regnal Name?

When asked what her regnal name would be, Queen Elizabeth (born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) quipped, “My own of course — what else?”

Her own father however chose to rule under a regnal name. He was born Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George but he chose to be known as King George VI when he was crowned.

Prince Charles was born Charles Philip Arthur George, allowing him the freedom to chose one of his four names as his regnal name. Most royal experts believe that he will stick with his first name and be known as King Charles III when he is on the throne.

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