Charles could have gone with a different name, but it's been confirmed he will be King Charles III.
It’s been confirmed that the King will be known as Charles III.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II after her incredible 70-year reign, her son Charles will be crowned King Charles III.
William and Kate’s Twitter account @KensingtonRoyal now refers to the couple as The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
But could the new King have chosen a different name? If we look to the British monarchy’s long history the answer is yes, if he wanted to.
The history of the names of British kings and queens is a tale of Williams, Georges, Henrys and Edwards, with a couple of Elizabeths and Marys as well.
Queen Victoria was originally christened Alexandrina Victoria, but chose a different regnal name.
The practice was continued by her son, born Prince Albert Edward, who took up the mantle of King Edward VII upon his accession to the throne in 1901.
In more recent times, Prince Albert, Duke of York took on the name King George VI in 1936 following the abdication crisis.
Royal historian professor Kate Williams believed that the King would go with Charles III.
She said: “My feeling was if he was not going to stick to it, we would have been told this already because if he suddenly says, for example, he’s King William, I think people will find it quite confusing.
“Charles I was bad and had his head chopped off but everyone loves Charles II, everyone thinks he is great fun because he brings back theatres and Christmas, so I don’t think Charles has this terrible name association because yes Charles I is very bad but Charles II is often seen as one of Britain’s most popular monarchs, he’s seen as the fun king.
The Prince of Wales’ full name – Charles Philip Arthur George – did present some alternatives if he had wished to be known by a different regnal name, however.
Clashes with parliament, civil wars and a beheading: the life of King Charles I
Born in 1600, Charles I became King upon the death of his father King James I of England (James VI of Scotland).
His heavy spending on art, clashes with leading citizens about religion and failed wars in Europe led to disagreements with parliament.
Tensions eventually boiled over into the English Civil War, which saw him imprisoned and put on trial for high treason and sentenced to death.
Following his death parliament ruled for 11 years – known as the Interregnum – before Charles’ son, Charles II was proclaimed king in 1660.
The return of the king and Christmas: who was King Charles II?
The eldest surviving son of Charles I, Charles had been eight years old when English Civil War broke out.
During the Interregnum, when Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector, festival days including Christmas were not allowed to be celebrated and instead were to be spent in respectful contemplation.
But following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Charles II repealed the Puritan ban on celebrating Christmas – to great popular joy.
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