What is King Charles III’s surname? Monarch’s full name revealed
The Royal Family and nation mourn Queen Elizabeth II, while King Charles III begins his reign.
It might take a while for some to get used to hearing ‘King Charles’ instead of ‘Prince Charles’ or ‘The Prince of Wales’ – a title now belonging to his eldest son Prince William.
After all, The King was known as The Prince of Wales for more than 64 years.
But does His Majesty have a surname, or is he simply ‘Charles’? And does he have several first names, like many royals do?
Here is all you need to know.
What is King Charles III’s surname?
In short: His Majesty doesn’t really have a surname.
However, descendants of The Queen and Prince Philip who do not use the style His or Her Royal Highness and carry the title Prince or Princess, are given the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
Windsor reflects the name of the Royal House, which was chosen by King George V in 1917, and is used for all descendants of Queen Victoria.
Mountbatten reflects Prince Philip’s surname, though. After the former Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark became naturalised, he used this surname – his uncle’s name – in the Royal Navy.
As King Charles III was formerly His Royal Highness and called ‘Prince Charles’, he didn’t need a surname before becoming monarch.
The monarch is essentially mononymous… but could use Mountbatten-Windsor if desired.
What is King Charles III’s full name?
King Charles III does have quite a few first names, though.
His full name is Charles Philip Arthur George, and when he was proclaimed as king was described as: ‘Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith’.
Mouthful, eh? Typically, his usual title is a simpler His Majesty The King or His Majesty King Charles III.
If speaking to him, you’d be expected to refer to him in the first instance as Your Majesty, and in later instances as Sir.
Previously, The King was known as Prince Charles or as His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
MORE : What will the Royal Family look like under King Charles III?
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MORE : Prince William: New titles and duties as he becomes heir apparent
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