MONARCH'S MONIKER
What is the King’s last name and why do the Royal Family not use their surnames?
Plus why Prince William's family doesn't use the official surname
CHARLES was crowned king after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.
He is often referred to as HRH, His Majesty and simply King Charles III, but did you know he has a surname? Here's what we know.
3
What is the King's surname?
King Charles is from the house of Windsor, so inherits this name from the royal line.
Mountbatten is the surname adopted by his father Prince Philip when he became a naturalised British subject.
As a result, is was decided that the descendants of Queen Elizabeth II would have the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
The explains: "They decided that the Queen's descendants 'other than those with the style of Royal Highness and the title of Prince/Princess, or female descendants who marry' could have the name Mountbatten-Windsor.
"The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh decided that they would like their own direct descendants to be distinguished from the rest of the Royal Family (without changing the name of the Royal House), as Windsor is the surname used by all the male and unmarried female descendants of George V."
Why do the Royal Family not use their last names?
Members of the Royal Family do not often need to use their surnames.
The Royal Family's website says: "Members of the Royal Family can be known both by the name of the Royal house, and by a surname, which are not always the same.
"And often they do not use a surname at all."
READ MORE ON ROYALS
Before 1917 royals did not have a last name and simply used the name of their father’s "House", eg Tudor.
The late Queen’s grandfather, King George V, made history when he changed the house from the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor, but he also stated this would be his family’s surname, a royal first.
Unseen pics of the Royal Family on display for the first time
It was changed in part due to the resentment towards Germany after the First World War.
After becoming Queen in 1952, her Majesty declared: “That I and my children shall be styled and known as the house and family of Windsor, and that my descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the name of Windsor."
But in 1960, the royal couple decided to distinguish their descendants from the rest of the royals.
It does not change the name of the royal house, which is still Windsor.
The Privy Council declared that the Queen’s descendants, when they needed one, would have the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
Anyone who is styled HRH Prince or Princess does not usually require a surname, apart from occasions such as official marriage registry entries.
The first time the name was used was when Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, and was later used by Prince Andrew when he wed.
3
What surname does Prince Harry and Prince William have?
When Prince Harry entered the army he used the surname Wales.
However he appeared to drop that and Mountbatten-Windsor when he moved to the US.
After Prince William and Kate Middleton became the Prince and Princess of Wales, their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, use "Wales"; as their surname in school.
3
What is the King's official title?
Following the Queen's death in September 2022, Charles became King immediately, however there was some speculation over what his official title would be.
It was ultimately decided that his title would be King Charles III.
He could have chosen any of his four names to run with as King, these being Charles, Philip, Arthur or George.
His grandfather, George VI, was the last monarch to not use his first name.
His full name was Albert Fredrick Arthur George.
Royal Family roles explained
- Who is and who isn't prince or princess in the British Royal Family?
- What is a royal patronage?
- What is a baroness?
- What is an OBE and what does it stand for?
- What is the Order of the Garter?
- Who are the working royals in the British Royal Family?
Topics