Kate Middleton isn't the only person the Royal Family wanted to change their name
Prince Harry has claimed that King Charles III wanted Kate Middleton to change her name when she joined the Royal Family in 2011
Prince Harry has claimed in Spare that King Charles III and Queen Camilla once wanted Kate Middleton to change the spelling of her name – and it looks like the Princess of Wales isn't the only royal who has been expected to ditch their moniker.
- Prince Harry has claimed that King Charles III and Queen Camilla wanted Kate Middleton to change her name after she married Prince William in 2011.
- The Duke of Sussex reportedly wrote in his new memoir, Spare, that the Royal Family was concerned that the spelling of the Princess of Wales's name could cause confusion with the public.
- In other royal news, all the details on *that* Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton fallout finally revealed by Prince Harry including terse text exchange about a dress.
Prince Harry has said that King Charles III and Queen Camilla wanted the Princess of Wales to change her name when she first joined the Royal Family, over concerns that its spelling may cause confusion with the public.
The Duke of Sussex makes the surprising claim in his bombshell new memoir, Spare, which officially hits shelves today (January 10).
Elsewhere in the 416-page book, Harry claims that Prince William 'knocked' him to the floor at Nottingham Cottage during an argument about Meghan Markle and reflects on his relationship with Queen Elizabeth's sister, Princess Margaret.
The 38-year-old also writes candidly about his grief following Princess Diana's death, how he lost his virginity at the age of 17, and his killing of 25 people while serving in the British Army. In another passage, Prince Harry reveals the details of Meghan Markle's 'flower girl dress' fallout with Kate Middleton ahead of their royal wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018.
Harry has also spoken about the sacrifices that have been expected of members of the Royal Family, such as the changing of their names. According to the Daily Mail, the duke claims that King Charles III and Queen Camilla wanted the Princess of Wales to drop the 'C' from her birth-given name, Catherine, and replace it with 'K' instead. The 41-year-old would thereby go by 'Katherine', which is closer to the Greek origins of the name – καθαρός (katharos) or 'pure'.
Harry apparently writes that the Royal Family were concerned that having three senior royal names beginning with 'C' would cause confusion, especially when it came to their cyphers. (Interestingly, King Charles III's personally chosen royal cypher, which was unveiled shortly after he ascended the throne in September, also had fans scratching their heads.)
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Have any other royals been asked to change their names?
Kate Middleton isn't the first royal to nearly be given a name change.
Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901, was also subject to pressure within the British monarchy to assume a new moniker. Born Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent in 1819, the monarch preferred to go by her middle name, Victoria, or 'Drina', an abbreviation of her first name. It's understood, however, that her predecessor, King William IV, strongly advised her to change her name to Elizabeth or Charlotte, over fears that 'Victoria' wasn't an appropriate name for a Queen.
In an 1836 letter to her uncle, King Leopold of Belgium, the former Princess Victoria laments the possibility of ditching her beloved name.
"There was a desire to change my favorite and dear name Victoria to that of Charlotte...to which the King willingly consented," she writes.
"I said nothing, though I felt grieved beyond measure by the thought of any change."
Fortunately for Queen Victoria, the plan was "given up" after it became clear that the public had "become used" to her name and even "liked it."
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
We're still thinking about Helen Skelton's Western-style denim dress with candy pink court shoes
Helen's cowgirl-esque denim dress is a capsule wardrobe must have
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
'Can I paint over wallpaper?' an expert reveals what you need to know before wasting money on materials
A decorator with 50 years of experience says you can - but explains why you sometimes shouldn't
By Tamara Kelly Published
-
Prince Archie celebrated his fifth birthday with a 'party in the Californian sunshine'
Prince Archie marked his fifth birthday on May 6th - and is believed to have enjoyed a special party with Harry and Meghan
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
We've found the perfect £29 lookalike for Kate Middleton's staple £150 sunglasses
The Princess of Wales loves her tortoise-shell print sunglasses - and recreating her look is easy with this rival pair
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Prince George, Charlotte and Louis set to be 'significant part' of mum Kate Middleton's recovery
According to a royal expert, the Princess of Wales wants to 'keep things as normal as possible' for her children
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's gorgeous old Hollywood sunhat she wore at Wimbledon is a bargain in the sale
Kate's exact sunhat she looked incredible in at Wimbledon 2022 is in the sale
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
King Charles opens up on 'shock' and 'difficulty' of his cancer diagnosis as he holds hands with cancer patients
King Charles marked his return to public-facing duties with a significant royal visit and shared his feelings about his cancer diagnosis
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's timeless trench coat is perfect for rainy spring days and chilly summer breezes
The Princess of Wales knows a classic piece when she sees one and her stunning trench coat from 2011 is a style staple that will last years
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
32 of Harry and Meghan's most romantic moments, from their engagement to their wedding day
From their fairytale wedding to their first date, we've put together some of Meghan and Harry's most romantic moments...
By Elena Kiratzi Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William are 'still loved up' 13 years on from the 'intense passion' on their wedding day
The Prince and Princess of Wales have always had a deep relationship and a strong bond, a body language expert says
By Caitlin Elliott Published