The Real Names of Your Favorite British Royal Family Members, Revealed
Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, and Prince Harry are all names that ring a bell. We know them, and we love them. Yet their royal titles hardly lend themselves to their real names. You see, these British royals have names far longer than the average person’s usual first, middle, and last. These are the real names of your favorite British royal family members.
1. Queen Elizabeth II
Windsor is only a recent family name. | Michael Ukas – Pool/Getty Images
- Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Mountbatten-Windsor
It wasn’t until 1917 that the British royal family even had a last name, or a surname if you please. King George V, the Queen’s grandfather, decided to change the family’s house name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. He also declared that Windsor becomes the family’s official surname.
Prior to this change, royalty only went by their house name — no surname existed at all. Although Queen Elizabeth II House of Windsor still applies, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Mountbatten-Windsor is her full name.
Next: Find out when the Queen decided to hyphenate her surname.
2. Duke of Edinburgh
They changed the naming system. | Yui Mok/AFP/Getty Images
- Philip Mountbatten
Queen Elizabeth II took the throne in 1952, upon her father’s death. In 1960, she and her husband, Philip Mountbatten, the Duke of Edinburgh, decided to change up the name game. They decided that all of their offspring would bear the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
Next: The Queen’s first-born has quite the lengthy name.
3. Prince Charles
How many names can you give one person? | Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
- Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor
Born November 14, 1948, Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor, also known as the Prince of Wales, is Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh’s first-born child. Prince Charles is next in the line of succession to take the British throne as King.
Next: This princess spent much of her life as a horsewoman.
4. Princess Anne
She has spent her life in the public eye. | Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
- Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
Princess Anne was born on August 15, 1950. She has lived quite the full life as an accomplished equestrian and spent the majority of her life in the eyes of the public. In 1970, she married Lieutenant of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards Mark Phillips. Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Mountbatten-Windsor gave birth to son Peter Mark Andrew and daughter Zara Anne Elizabeth before divorcing Phillips.
Next: The scandalous marriage between this prince and his wife caused a media storm.
5. Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew also has two middle names. | Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF
- Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor
The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, is the third-born child of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor married Sarah Ferguson in 1986 in the midst of a media storm. Nevertheless, Ferguson gave birth to Beatrice and Eugenie before separating and eventually divorcing. Oddly enough, the couple has maintained a close relationship.
Next: The Queen’s youngest son is a theatre guy.
6. Prince Edward
He works in television production. | Dan Mullan/Getty Images
- Edward Antony Richard Louis Mountbatten-Windsor
The last-born of the Queen and Duke’s children, Prince Edward, also known as the Earl of Wessex, has spent a good portion of his life in theatre and television production. In 1993, he started his own company named Ardent Productions. After marrying Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, the two later welcomed their daughter Louise and son James.
Next: This beloved prince is set to take the throne just after his father.
7. Prince William
He has even more middle names than the rest of his family. | Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images
- William Arthur Philip Louis Cambridge Mountbatten-Windsor
The beloved first-born son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, Prince William graced Earth’s presence on June 21, 1982. The second in the line of succession for the throne, the Duke of Cambridge is likely to become King at some point in his life. Prince William married Kate Middleton and has fathered three children — two sons, one daughter.
Next: The beloved Kate has quite the long name.
8. Duchess of Cambridge
She typically goes by her nickname in the press. | Frank Augstein – WPA Pool/Getty Images
- Catherine Elizabeth Cambridge Mountbatten-Windsor
Commonly referenced as Kate Middleton, Catherine Elizabeth Cambridge Mountbatten-Windsor married Prince William on April 29, 2011. Shortly after their nuptials, Kate welcomed their first-born Prince George. This new prince is third in the line of succession for the throne. The couple then welcomed Princess Charlotte, along with the newest 2018 addition — another baby boy.
Next: The third in succession to the throne is a little bit shy.
9. Prince George
He follows the family naming tradition. | Richard Pohle – WPA Pool/Getty Images
- George Alexander Louis Cambridge Mountbatten-Windsor
Prince George may be the most adorable little fellow to grace British royalty in the 21st century. He was born on July 22, 2013, and has quite the role to fulfill. Since he will be taking the throne after his father, George Alexander Louis Cambridge Mountbatten-Windsor will likely spend the bulk of his life in the public eye.
Next: Princess Charlotte is not afraid of crowds.
10. Princess Charlotte
Charlotte is named after her grandmother and great grandmother. | HRH The Duchess of Cambridge via Getty Images
- Charlotte Elizabeth Diana Cambridge Mountbatten-Windsor
Princess Charlotte knows how to woo a crowd, and chances are she will continue to do so for many years to come. After famously waving at onlookers as she walked hand-in-hand with Prince William to meet her new baby brother, she captured a whole bunch of hearts. Charlotte Elizabeth Diana Cambridge Mountbatten-Windsor is fourth in the line of succession to the throne.
Next: All eyes are on this prince.
11. Prince Harry
He goes by a different name all together. | Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
- Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor
Next: Find out how Markle’s name will change.
12. Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Wales
She will be getting a new title with her wedding. | Chris Jackson/Getty Images
- Rachel Meghan Mountbatten-Windsor
Anyone who has not heard of Meghan Markle is likely living under a rock — perhaps a boulder. The American-born Suits actress starting courting Prince Harry in the fall of 2016. The media attention ensued, and the world has watched their romance unfold. Soon Ms. Markle will take on a new title and a new last name.
Next: A lesser known princess is a household name in England.
13. Princess Beatrice
Princess Beatrice has a shorter name than a lot of other royals. | Chris Jackson/Getty Images
- Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York
The first-born daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice came into the world as the Queen’s fifth grandchild on August 8, 1988. Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York has done a lot of work with dyslexia research organizations, as she has dealt with the learning disability herself.
Next: This princess has done impressive work around this common disability.
14. Princess Eugenie
She will likely keep her name even after her wedding. | Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
- Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena of York
The second-born daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Princess Eugenie was born on March 23, 1990. Although she may be lesser known to Americans, the Princess is a well-established figure in the British royal family. In fact, she announced her engagement with Jack Brooksbank in early 2018.
Next: This royal and her brother don’t have fancy royal titles.
15. Zara Tindall
She does not hold a royal title. | Jason O’Brien/Getty Images
- Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips Tindall
Zara Tindall is a world-class equestrian and the second-born child of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, yet she does not hold a royal title. As strange as it is, Zara and her brother Peter do not hold any special titles even though the Queen offered that option. Princess Anne and Phillips kindly declined the offer.