The ‘real reason’ Princess Charlotte couldn’t use Diana for her first name
Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was born in 2015 - with her name honouring two special people in Prince William's life.
Prince William undoubtedly wanted to honour his late mother’s memory when his daughter was born on May 2, 2015. Two days after her birth, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was revealed as the name of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s second child – and only daughter.
Although William was keen to pay homage to the late Princess Diana, who passed away in August 1997, one royal expert has revealed why ‘Diana’ was given as a middle name and not Charlotte’s first name. Despite ‘Elizabeth’ being deemed a top contender many believed that Charlotte would have been named ‘Diana’. As reported by Vanity Fair, at the time Charlotte’s full name was revealed, royal expert – and close friend of the late royal – Richard Kay said that he believed the pair were right to use ‘Diana’ as a middle name.
Speaking about Charlotte’s name, Mr Kay added: “Had it been the first name, I think it would have been terrible for the child. “There would have been constant comparisons with Diana, and William wouldn’t have wanted that.” Discussing their use of the name as one of Charlotte’s two middle names, he added: “This way it’s a tribute to his mother and a way of ensuring Diana is always remembered.”
At the time of Charlotte’s birth, Vanity Fair also reported that Simone Simmons said her late friend would have been “over the moon” with her granddaughter’s name. Ms Simmons, a friend of the late royal, said: “Diana would be over the moon. It’s William’s way of honoring his mother’s memory. “A way of making sure Diana’s legacy lives on. This way she will never be forgotten.
“When Diana was alive, William promised her when he was King [that] Diana would have her HRH restored. This is his way of doing it.” As well as having Diana as her middle name, Elizabeth was also given to Charlotte as a way to pay homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Charlotte is also a female variation of Charles, after her grandfather, the now-King Charles III. Much like his brother, Prince Harry also made sure to honour their late mother by giving his own daughter the same middle name as his niece. Meghan Markle gave birth to Princess Lilibet Diana on June 4, 2021 – six years after her cousin’s birth.
