Meghan Markle will have to change Baby Sussex’s name if the Queen hates it, royal historian claims
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have welcomed their new arrival into the world, and many royal fans are wondering what name the couple will choose for Baby Sussex.
While Spencer, Alexander and Arthur being hot favourites, one royal expert has revealed that it’s likely the Queen’s opinion will be taken into account in an “informal conversation”.
Discussing the birth of Prince Louis last year, royal commentator Kate Williams explained that while it’s the Queen’s decision whether the baby will be given a royal title, the decision regarding the tot’s first name is more relaxed.
However, if Her Maj really isn’t keen, Harry and Meghan would likely take this into account, and she is set to visit the couple today.
“The Queen has the power to say what their title is,” Williams told CNN.
“But in the case of names, it is more of an informal conversation.
WHAT ARE THE LATEST BABY NAME ODDS?
Here are the latest odds on baby’s name, as supplied by Ladbrokes.
- Spencer – 3/1 This moniker is maiden name of Princess Diana before she was given the title Princess of Wales. She was previously known as Diana Frances Spencer and it would a touching tribute or Prince Harry’s late mother.
- Alexander – 5/1 Meghan and Harry could name their child Alexander as a tribute to Prince Philip’s grandfather who was Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg. It is also the middle name of his first cousin Prince George.
- Arthur – 6/1 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may pick Arthur because the name has an impressive heritage. Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Arthur, is the last royal to have that name and before that was King Henry VIII’s younger brother.
- James – 6/1 This name was popular in the past for kings as King James VI and I was the King of Scotland and the King of England and Ireland. It could be a nod to Meghan’s Irish roots.
- Phillip – 8/1 This new royal would share a name with the Duke of Edinburgh.Prince Harry naming his son Philip could be a way to pay tribute to his grandfather.
- Albert – 10/1 The royal couple could name their first child after Queen Victoria’s beloved husband. The Prince Consort helped to develop Britain’s constitutional monarchy.
- Henry – 12/1 One of the royal family’s most famous relatives was King Henry VIII. Meghan and Harry may pay tribute to this king who is remembered for having six wives.
“Of course they have such respect for the Queen that if she says ‘I really don’t like that name,’ they’d definitely take that into account.”
The most popular name in the royal family for boys is Albert for a boy – but so far, Harry and Meg have given no clues as to what they’re planning on naming their baby.
While it’s expected Meghan, 37 and Harry, 34, will opt for a traditional name.
Spencer is currently the bookies favourite at 3/1, followed by Alexander (5/1), Arthur (6/1) and James (6/1).
Punters are placing their bets on Arthur being the name of choice with odds of 12/1.
Edward and James are also a popular choice with odds of 16/1.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been preparing for a home birth at Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
But late on Sunday the Duchess was driven to the exclusive Portland private hospital in central London by Harry and their Scotland Yard security team.
Meghan remained in the £15,000-a-night hospital overnight before going into labour in the early hours of Monday morning.
She had a smooth delivery, and her baby boy was born at the 5.26am sunrise on Monday morning weighing 7lb 3oz.
Sources said the operation to get Meghan – who was a week overdue – to the clinic was so secret that even senior royals weren’t told.
Within hours of the dawn birth, the couple were back at Frogmore where Harry, 34, gave an impromptu press conference to break the news to the world.
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Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland, who is said to be “overjoyed” by the arrival of her first grandchild, is currently staying with the couple.
Sun doctor Carol Cooper had said previously it was more likely Meghan will have opted for a caesarean because of her age as she warned about the dangers of older mums giving birth.
Meghan’s dad, Thomas, who has been frozen out by Meghan, spoke of his pride at the birth of the baby – his sixth grandson.