Hey there, royal watchers! While we may not know exactly when it'll happen, one day Queen Elizabeth will pass the torch to her son, Prince Charles. When that moment comes, Charles will officially become the King of England. But here’s the twist: he doesn’t have to keep the name "Charles." Yep, you read that right. He could go by something completely different, like King Philip, King Arthur, or even King George. Crazy, right?

Let’s break this down. Former Buckingham Palace spokesperson and author of On Duty with the Queen, Dickie Arbiter, spilled some tea earlier this year in an interview with Hello! magazine. According to Arbiter, Charles might choose one of his other names—Philip, Arthur, or George. As for his official title, Arbiter added, “He’ll also be Lord of the Mann (Isle of Man) and Duke of Normandy, but generally, he’ll only be known as King. It’s kind of like having a stage name, but way more regal.”

What’s in a Name? The Tradition Behind Royal Titles

Take a look at Charles’ full name: Charles Philip Arthur George. If he becomes king, he could choose to go by any of those names. While this might sound bizarre, it’s actually pretty standard practice in the British royal family. Monarchs often pick a name that resonates with history, tradition, or personal meaning. For instance, Queen Elizabeth’s father, who became king in 1936, chose the name King George VI instead of using his given name, Albert Frederick Arthur George. That’s right—King George VI was actually named after his middle name!

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History Repeats Itself: Past Royal Name Changes

Let’s rewind a bit. Before King George VI came to power, his older brother held the throne as King Edward VIII. Edward’s full name was Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, and while he kept his first name when he became king, he was always informally known as David—a nod to his sixth middle name. So, you see, royals have been switching things up for centuries.

Fast forward to 1952, when Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne after her father’s passing. Her full name is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, so she could have gone by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Alexandra, or Queen Mary. But like her uncle, she decided to stick with her first name. Honestly, can you imagine calling her anything else? She’s just… Elizabeth, right?

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