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Since Queen Elizabeth II succeeded the throne in 1952, Prince Charles has been considered the heir to the throne. Prince Charles is the longest-serving Prince of Wales in British royal history, and over the decades he has put his stamp on the Duchy of Cornwall, the estate traditionally owned by the heir apparent. When he succeeds the throne, Charles will have the option of keeping his name or choosing a different regnal name altogether.
For the entirety of the Queen’s long reign, Prince Charles has been known to the public by his first name as Charles.
So it may be the natural progression for Charles to keep his name as it is when choosing a regnal name.
If Charles keeps his name, he will be Britain’s third King Charles to date, with the previous King Charles I and King Charles II reigning during the Stuart era.
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However, British monarchs do not have to keep their first names as their regnal names when they succeed the throne.
Queen Victoria’s first name was actually Alexandrina, while King George VI’s first name was Albert.
The Constitution Unit at University College London (UCL) explains on its website that Charles may “not necessarily” be known as King Charles III when he succeeds the throne.
The experts explained: “He is free to choose his own regnal title.
“King Edward VII chose Edward as his regnal title, although hitherto he had been known by his first name of Albert.
“King Edward VIII also chose Edward as his regnal title, although he was known to his family and friends as David.”
There has been some speculation that Charles may not opt to be Charles III as the name has some negative connotations in Britain due to the execution of King Charles I after the English Civil War.
So if Charles steers clear of being known as King Charles, he has some other names to choose from.
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The Constitution Unit outlined that four of Charles’s given names could be an option when he is King.
The experts added: “Prince Charles’s Christian names are Charles Philip Arthur George.
“Instead of becoming King Charles, he might choose to become King George VII, or King Philip, or King Arthur.”
If Charles picked the regnal name of George, it could be seen as a touching tribute to the memory of his late grandfather, King George VI.
Similarly, the name Philip would be a gesture to the memory of Charles’ late father, Prince Philip.
King Arthur has legendary connotations and Charles is thought to like the name, having reportedly picked it for Prince William’s middle name.
But the regnal name Charles eventually settles on will likely be announced upon his succession to the throne.
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