Royals who are not known by their real names
Besides enjoying and relishing the luxurious fortunes left behind by their ancestors, members of the British Royal Family have many customs and traditions to follow and to adhere to. Whether it's performing their royal duties or maintaining the high decorum of the royal household, British royals must stay on guard at all times.
Even when it comes to acquiring names, royals have to conform to certain protocols. For instance, a royal may have a different name at birth but given that he or she is next in line to the throne, they may have to donn on a new name. That said, here are some of the royals who do not go by their real names, instead are called by other monikers.
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Queen Victoria was originally called Alexandrina
One of the longest reigning female monarchs of British history, Queen Victoria, was originally called Alexandrina Victoria, named after her godfather, Tsar Alexander I. While initially she was asked to drop 'Victoria' from the name, she stuck to the moniker and is famously known by the same up until today.
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King George VI's real name was Albert
King George VI, Queen Elizabeth's father, was born as Albert Frederick Arthur George Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. However, after being crowned in 1937, he had to give up his birth name and also his nickname 'Bertie' only to be called King George VI for the rest of his life.
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Kate Middleton was christened Catherine Elizabeth Middleton
Popularly known by the name Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge was born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton. Reportedly, her husband, Prince William, chooses to call her by her full name in public.
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Meghan Markle's actual name is Rachel
American-born actress and philanthropist, Meghan Markle's real name is Rachel. Although not much is known about the name switch, people believe the alliteration sounds much cooler and catchier.
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Prince Harry was born Henry
The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, like his wife, Meghan, has an official name, Henry Charles Albert David. However, he is hardly ever called by his real name unless its on the documents.
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The British Royal Family changed it's name too
As per the official royal website, "Before 1917, members of the British Royal Family had no surname, but only the name of the house or dynasty to which they belonged". However, in 1917, King George V replaced the family name from the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor, not only as the name of the 'House' or dynasty, but also as the surname of his family.