New princess is named
The naming of the royal baby Charlotte Elizabeth Diana will be seen as a tribute to the Duke of Cambridge’s father, mother and grandmother.
Charlotte is the feminine form of Charles, and William and the Duchess of Cambridge are likely to have had their daughter’s grandfather in mind when they chose it.
William has spoken of his deep respect for his father and the amount of time the prince commits to his charitable work. “I just really hold him in great admiration,” the Duke has said.
The Prince of Wales strove to protect William and Prince Harry following the death of their mother Diana Princess of Wales and backed them as they have worked to honour her memory through their charitable connections.
They, in turn, accepted and supported him when he married Camilla Parker Bowles, now the Duchess of Cornwall.
William is protective of his father, defending him against criticism he has often faced. Naming his daughter after the prince will be seen as a clear public demonstration of his love of Charles.
Charlotte is also the middle name of Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton. Nicknames for the princess could include Lottie or Charlie.
French in origin, it means “petite” and “feminine” or “free man”.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are likely to have chosen Elizabeth in tribute to the baby’s great-grandmother the Queen.
And Diana was always expected to feature somewhere in remembrance of William’s late mother, who died in a car crash when William was 15.
The Duke places great importance on honouring her memory, having already used Diana’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring when he proposed to Kate.
The royal couple picked the bookmakers’ favourite for their son George.
This time the bookies got it wrong. Alice - which was the name of one of Queen Victoria’s daughters and also of the Duke of Edinburgh’s mother - was their favourite for the new princess
