Will Harry and Meghan opt for royal favourites when naming their baby?
Elizabeth, Victoria, Albert and Philip are among the possibilities if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex go down the classic route.
Tradition is an important part of the British royal family – not least when it comes to choosing a baby’s name.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may decide to keep it classic like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when naming their first-born.
American former actress Meghan, who is the first mixed-race person in modern history to marry a senior British royal, may want to take inspiration from her own heritage.
Canadian-born Autumn Phillips, and husband Peter Phillips, opted for a non-traditional name for their daughter Savannah – the Queen’s first great-grandchild – in 2010.
Meghan has revealed that she and Harry have already been given ideas by family and friends.
During a tram ride in Melbourne on their Australia tour, the duchess told pupils from a local school: “We’ve been given a long list of names from everyone. We’re going to sit down and have a look at them.”
If the Sussexes opt for a more traditional approach to royal baby-naming, here are some of the royal names they might select.
– FOR A GIRL
– Victoria
Queen Victoria was previously the longest-reigning monarch in British history before she was overtaken by Elizabeth II in 2015.
She was actually named Alexandrina Victoria and as a child was nicknamed Drina, but ruled as Victoria, which she is said to have preferred.
She married Prince Albert and had nine children, but mourned Albert’s early death for the rest of her life.
The name has been a popular choice for princesses in the British royal family in tribute to Victoria.
– Alice
The Duke of Edinburgh’s mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg, later becoming Princess Andrew of Greece upon marriage.
She saw little of Philip when he was a child. She fell ill and was committed to a sanatorium. She also founded an order of nuns.
The princess – who is buried in Israel – was recognised by Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial as a Righteous Among the Nations, for her courage.
In later years, she went to live at Buckingham Palace and used to walk around in a nun’s habit, smoking Woodbines.
– Mary
Mary is one of the Queen’s middle names.
It was also her grandmother’s name. Princess Mary of Teck, who was born in 1867, and was married to George V, becoming Queen Mary.
– Alexandra
Alexandra is another of the Queen’s middle names.
It is also the name of her cousin, Princess Alexandra. The Queen’s great-grandmother was Queen Alexandra.
A Danish princess, she had a happy childhood and was known to her family as Alix.
She was once considered one of the most beautiful princesses in Europe.
– Elizabeth
The monarch is held in such esteem by her family that Harry and Meghan might decide to honour her by choosing Elizabeth as a first name.
The Queen, who is now Britain’s longest reigning monarch, was known as Lilibet as a child.
Harry’s great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, was also an Elizabeth.
Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, ruled from 1558 until 1603.
– Amelia
Amelia was the name of one of George III’s daughters.
Born in 1783, Amelia was the youngest of the king’s 15 children.
She fell passionately in love with one of her father’s equerries, Charles Fitzroy, but was forbidden by her mother from marrying him.
She died from tuberculosis when she was 27.
George II also had a daughter called Amelia.
The name was the most popular girls’ name in England and Wales for five years from 2011, until it was knocked off the top spot by Olivia in 2016.
– Isabella
Isabella could also be a contender. It has been a popular name among foreign royals.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark’s daughter, who was born in 2007, is a Princess Isabella.
Harry’s second cousin once removed Lord Freddie Windsor also has a daughter called Isabella.
– FOR A BOY
– Albert
Queen Victoria used to insist that the name Albert was used as a middle name by her descendants, if not a first, in honour of her much-loved consort Prince Albert.
Shy, stammering Bertie was forced to become king when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated, but won the nation’s affection by standing firm in London during the Second World War.
Albert is also one of Harry’s middle names.
Arthur
This has been a popular choice as a royal middle name – for the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Louis, as well as for the Queen’s father, George VI.
Once popular, the name fell out of fashion but has had a revival in recent years. Former prime minister David Cameron has a son called Arthur.
– Philip
A lasting tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh might see a Baby Sussex called Philip.
The Duke – known for his dedication to duty and his acerbic wit – has been married to the Queen for more than 70 years and is the nation’s longest serving consort.
– Frederick
Lord Freddie Windsor was once best known for the scandal that ensued in 1999 when he was reportedly spotted snorting cocaine.
Frederick has been a popular royal middle name, including for the Queen’s father, George VI.
– Charles
Harry may want to pay the ultimate tribute to his father.
Charles is considered an unlucky name for kings as Charles I was executed and Charles II’s reign featured the plague and the Great Fire of London.
James
James is a Stuart name.
James I, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, had been king of Scotland for 36 years as James VI when he became king of England in 1603.
