"Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous
and
Yvonne's Royalty Home Page
© 1998-2006 Yvonne Demoskoff
wayward youngsters and of family disagreements." - Queen Elizabeth II
"Of course you will add Albert at the end, like your brothers, as you know we [Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort] settled long ago that all dearest Papa's male English descendants should bear that name, to mark our line, just as I wish all the girls to have Victoria after theirs! I lay great stress on this; and it is done in a great many families." (King George V, p. 4)
'Marking' the family line with a particular name was something very important to Queen Victoria. She had previously spoken about this to Bertie following the birth of his first child in January 1864, when she told him what his own son's name would be, while at the same time informing him what she expected his regnal name to be:
"Respecting your own names, and the conversation we had, I wish to repeat, that it was beloved Papa's wish, as well as mine, that you should be called both, when you became King, and it would be impossible for you to drop your Father's. It would be monstrous, and Albert alone, as you truly and amiably say, would not do, as there can be only one Albert! You will begin a new line, as much as the Tudors and Brunswicks, for it will be the Saxe-Coburg line united with the Brunswick, and for the two united names will mark it, in the way we all wish, and your son will be known by the two others, as you are by Albert Edward." (Queen Victoria in her Letters and Journals, pp 179-180)*
It was one thing to request the name Victoria or Albert be added to the string of names of a child, but Queen Victoria went one step further by sometimes choosing the names of her grandchildren without consulting the parents, as she did for the firstborn child of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1864. She decreed her grandchild's name to be Albert Victor, and added to the parents' distress by informing others what the child's name was before informing the parents.
Despite the pressure Queen Victoria brought to bear on her children and grandchildren, she was rarely successful in having a child named after herself or her husband. When the Prince and Princess of Wales's third child was born in 1867, she told them to name their infant daughter after her. The parents had already made their choice, and would not budge, and named their daughter Louise after the Princess of Wales's mother. Queen Victoria was equally unsuccessful when the Duke and Duchess of Connaught's third child was born in 1886. She wanted the infant named Victoria, but the parents remained firm about their choice of Patricia. (The Duke and Duchess called their daughter Patsy, but to the Queen she was Victoria Patricia.)
Time did not relax Queen Victoria's determination to involve herself in the naming of her descendants. In 1894, she tried to impose her choice of name on the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York:
"I am most anxious naturally that he should bear the name of his beloved Great Grandfather, a name which brought untold blessings to the whole Empire & that Albert should be his 1st name." (Royal Children, pp 73-74)
To emphasize her point, the Queen reiterated an earlier refrain:
"This will be the Coburg line, like formerly the Plantagenet, the Tudor, ... the Stewart, & the Brunswicks" (Queen Mary, p. 301)
It didn't matter. George and May stuck to their choice of Edward. (They included Albert, but as the second of the child's seven names.) The following year, the Queen got her wish when the Duke and Duchess of York named their second child Albert. (He could hardly have been given any other name, especially as he had been born on December 14, the thirty-fourth anniversary of the death of Queen Victoria's beloved husband, the Prince Consort.)
Queen Victoria and parents did not always clash over the first name of a
newborn. The Queen, however, reserved the right to complain if her choices
for the additional names did not meet with her approval. When the Duke and
Duchess of Connaught's second child was born in 1883, all were in agreement
that the child should be named Arthur. As to his other names, Queen
Victoria did not want to have Patrick among them because Ireland had
'behaved so dreadfully'. The Queen eventually relented when her son, the
Duke of Connaught, pointed out to her that Patrick was the name of
one of Scotland's saints, and was also one of the names she had given him
at his birth.
* Some thirty-seven years later, when the Queen was no longer able to impose
her will, the Prince of Wales chose not to take his formal name Albert
Edward as his regnal name. He had previously explained to his mother
in 1864 that he understood her wishes "about his bearing two names, 'although
no English Sovereign has ever done so yet, and you will agree with me that
it would not be pleasant to be like "Louis Napoleon", "Victor Emmanuel",
"Charles Albert" etc., although no doubt there is no absolute reason why
it should not be so.' (Edward VII, Prince & King, p. 365). The
new king explained his choice of name in his accession speech: "I have resolved
to be known by the name of Edward, which has been borne by six of my ancestors.
In doing so I do not undervalue the name of Albert, which I inherit from
my ever-lamented great and wise father, who by universal consent is I think
deservedly known by the name of Albert the Good, and I desire that his name
should stand alone." (Edward VII, Prince & King, p. 366)
Back to Table of Contents
Three of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's five daughters had Victoria amongst their names. (One daughter had Victoria as her formal name.)
All six of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's male-line grandsons had Albert amongst their names. (None of these grandsons had Albert as his formal, single name, although one had it as part of his formal, compound name, Albert Victor.)
All ten of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's male-line granddaughters had Victoria amongst their names. (One of these granddaughters had Victoria as her formal, single name, and another had it as part of her formal, compound name, Victoria Melita.)
Four of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's male-line great-grandsons had Albert amongst their names. (One of these great-grandsons had Albert as his formal name.)
One of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's male-line great-granddaughters had Victoria amongst her names. (None of these great-granddaughters had Victoria as her formal name, either as a single name or as a compound name.)
Of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's female-line grandchildren, one grandson
was named after his grandfather (Prince Albert of
Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg in 1869), and two granddaughters
were named after the Queen (Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine in 1863,
and Princess Viktoria of Prussia in 1866). Another granddaughter had
Victoria as part of her compound name (Princess Victoria Eugénie
of Battenberg) in 1887. No female-line great-grandchildren were named after
Queen Victoria or the Prince Consort, although two great-granddaughters had
Victoria amongst their names.
Back to Table of Contents
1.1. Princess Victoria of Great Britain, Princess Royal (1840-1901)
- names received at christening: VICTORIA Adelaide
Mary Louisa
- known formally as: Victoria
- known to the family as: Pussy or Pussette (as a young
child), Vicky (when older)
1.2. Edward VII, King of Great Britain (1841-1910)
- names received at christening: ALBERT Edward
- known formally as: Albert Edward
- known to the family as: Bertie
- name assumed at accession: Edward
1.2.1. Prince Albert Victor of Great Britain, Duke of Clarence and of Avondale
(1864-1892)
- names received at christening: ALBERT Victor Christian
Edward
- known formally as: Albert Victor
- known to the family as: Eddy
1.2.2. George V, King of Great Britain (1865-1936)
- names received at christening: George Frederick Ernest
ALBERT
- known formally as: George
- known to the family as: Georgie
- name assumed at accession: George
1.2.2.1. Edward VIII, King of Great Britain (later Duke of Windsor)
(1894-1972)
- names received at christening: Edward ALBERT
Christian George Andrew Patrick David
- known formally as: Edward
- known to the family as: David
- name assumed at accession: Edward
1.2.2.2. George VI, King of Great Britain (1895-1952)
- names received at christening: ALBERT Frederick
Arthur George
- known formally as: Albert
- known to the family as: Bertie
- name assumed at accession: George
1.2.2.2.1 Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain (1926- )
- names received at christening: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary
- known formally as: Elizabeth
- known to the family as: Lilibet
- name assumed at accession: Elizabeth
1.2.2.2.1.1. Prince Charles of Great Britain, Prince of Wales (1948- )
- names received at christening: Charles Philip Arthur George
- known formally as: Charles
- known to the family as: Charles
1.2.2.2.1.1.1. Prince William of Great Britain (1982- )
- names received at christening: William Arthur Philip Louis
- known formally as: William
- known to the family as: William
1.2.2.2.1.1.2. Prince Henry of Great Britain (1984- )
- names received at christening: Henry Charles ALBERT
David
- known formally as: Henry
- known to the family as: Harry
1.2.2.2.1.2. Princess Anne of Great Britain, Princess Royal (1950- )
- names received at christening: Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise
- known formally as: Anne
- known to the family as: Anne
1.2.2.2.1.3. Prince Andrew of Great Britain, Duke of York (1960- )
- names received at christening: Andrew ALBERT
Christian Edward
- known formally as: Andrew
- known to the family as: Andrew
1.2.2.2.1.3.1. Princess Beatrice of Great Britain (1988- )
- names received at christening: Beatrice Elizabeth Mary
- known formally as: Beatrice
- known to the family as: Beatrice
1.2.2.2.1.3.2. Princess Eugenie of Great Britain (1990- )
- names received at christening: Eugenie VICTORIA
Helena
- known formally as: Eugenie
- known to the family as: Eugenie
1.2.2.2.1.4. Prince Edward of Great Britain, Earl of Wessex (1964- )
- names received at christening: Edward Antony Richard Louis
- known formally as: Edward
- known to the family as: Edward
1.2.2.2.1.4.1. Princess Louise of Great Britain (Lady Louise Windsor) (2003- )
- names received at christening: Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary
- known formally as: Louise
- known to the family as: Louise
1.2.2.2.2. Princess Margaret of Great Britain (1930-2002)
- names received at christening: Margaret Rose
- known formally as: Margaret Rose (as a child)
- known to the family as: Margaret
1.2.2.3. Princess Mary of Great Britain, Princess Royal (1897-1965)
- names received at christening: VICTORIA Alexandra
Alice Mary
- known formally as: Mary
- known to the family as: Mary
1.2.2.4. Prince Henry of Great Britain, Duke of Gloucester (1900-1974)
- names received at christening: Henry William Frederick
ALBERT
- known formally as: Henry
- known to the family as: Harry
1.2.2.4.1. Prince William of Great Britain (1941-1972)
- names received at christening: William Henry Andrew Frederick
- known formally as: William
- known to the family as: William
1.2.2.4.2. Prince Richard of Great Britain, Duke of Gloucester (1944- )
- names received at christening: Richard Alexander Walter George
- known formally as: Richard
- known to the family as: Richard
1.2.2.4.2.1. Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (1974- )
- names received at christening: Alexander Patrick Gregers Richard
- known formally as: Alexander
- known to the family as: Alexander
1.2.2.4.2.2. Lady Davina Windsor (1977- )
- names received at christening: Davina Elizabeth Alice Benedikte
- known formally as: Davina
- known to the family as: Davina
1.2.2.4.2.3. Lady Rose Windsor (1980- )
- names received at christening: Rose VICTORIA Birgitte
Louise
- known formally as: Rose
- known to the family as: Rose
1.2.2.5. Prince George of Great Britain, Duke of Kent (1900-1942)
- names received at christening: George Edward Alexander Edmund
- known formally as: George
- known to the family as: Georgie
1.2.2.5.1. Prince Edward of Great Britain, Duke of Kent (1935- )
- names received at christening: Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick
- known formally as: Edward
- known to the family as: Eddie
1.2.2.5.1.1. George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews (1962- )
- names received at christening: George Philip Nicholas
- known formally as: George
- known to the family as: George
1.2.2.5.1.1.1. Edward Windsor, Baron Downpatrick (1988- )
- names received at christening: Edward Edmund Maximilian George
- known formally as: Edward
- known to the family as: Edward
1.2.2.5.1.1.2. Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor (1992- )
- names received at christening: Marina-Charlotte Alexandra Katharine Helen
- known formally as: Marina-Charlotte
- known to the family as: Marina-Charlotte
1.2.2.5.1.1.3. Lady Amelia Windsor (1995- )
- names received at christening: Amelia Sophia Theodora Mary Margaret
- known formally as: Amelia
- known to the family as: Amelia
1.2.2.5.1.2. Lady Helen Windsor (1964- )
- names received at christening: Helen Marina Lucy
- known formally as: Helen
- known to the family as: Helen
1.2.2.5.1.3. Lord Nicholas Windsor (1970- )
- names received at christening: Nicholas Charles Edward Jonathan
- known formally as: Nicholas
- known to the family as: Nicholas
1.2.2.5.2. Princess Alexandra of Great Britain (1936- )
- names received at christening: Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel
- known formally as: Alexandra
- known to the family as: Pud
1.2.2.5.3. Prince Michael of Great Britain (1942- )
- names received at christening: Michael George Charles Franklin
- known formally as: Michael
- known to the family as: Michael
1.2.2.5.3.1. Lord Frederick Windsor (1979- )
- names received at christening: Frederick Michael George David Louis
- known formally as: Frederick
- known to the family as: Freddie
1.2.2.5.3.2. Lady Gabriella Windsor (1981- )
- names received at christening: Gabriella Marina Alexandra Ophelia
- known formally as: Gabriella
- known to the family as: Ella
1.2.2.6. Prince John of Great Britain (1905-1919)
- names received at christening: John Charles Francis
- known formally as: John
- known to the family as: Johnnie, Johnny
1.2.3. Princess Louise of Great Britain, Princess Royal (1867-1931)
- names received at christening: Louise VICTORIA
Alexandra Dagmar
- known formally as: Louise
- known to the family as: Looloo, Louise
1.2.3.1. Lady Alexandra Duff, later Princess Alexandra of Great Britain (in
1905), 2nd Duchess of Fife (1891-1959)
- names received at christening: Alexandra VICTORIA
Alberta Edwina Louise
- known formally as: Alexandra
- known to the family as:
Alix
1.2.3.2. Lady Maud Duff, later Princess Maud of Great Britain (in 1905)
(1893-1945)
- names received at christening: Maud Alexandra
VICTORIA Georgina Bertha
- known formally as: Maud
- known to the family as: Maudie
1.2.4. Princess Victoria of Great Britain (1868-1935)
- names received at christening: VICTORIA Alexandra
Olga Mary
- known formally as: Victoria
- known to the family as: Toria
1.2.5. Princess Maud of Great Britain (1869-1938)
- names received at christening: Maud Charlotte Mary
VICTORIA
- known formally as: Maud
- known to the family as: Harry, Maudie
1.2.6. Prince John of Great Britain (1871)
- names received at christening: Alexander John Charles
ALBERT
- known formally as: John
- known to the family as: Johnnie
1.3. Princess Alice of Great Britain (1843-1878)
- names received at christening: Alice Maud Mary
- known formally as: Alice
- known to the family as: Fatima (as a young child),
Alee, Alice
1.4. Prince Alfred of Great Britain, Duke of Edinburgh (later Alfred, Duke
of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) (1844-1900)
- names received at christening: Alfred Ernest ALBERT
- known formally as: Alfred
- known to the family as: Affie
1.4.1. Prince Alfred of Great Britain, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and
Gotha (1874-1899)
- names received at christening: Alfred Alexander William Ernest
ALBERT
- known formally as: Alfred
- known to the family as: Young Affie, Young Alfred
1.4.2. Princess Marie of Great Britain (1875-1938)
- names received at christening: Marie Alexandra
VICTORIA
- known formally as: Marie
- known to the family as: Missy
1.4.3. Princess Victoria Melita of Great Britain (1876-1936)
- names received at christening: VICTORIA Melita
- known formally as: Victoria Melita
- known to the family as: Ducky
1.4.4. Princess Alexandra of Great Britain (1878-1942)
- names received at christening: Alexandra Louise Olga
VICTORIA
- known formally as: Alexandra
- known to the family as: Sandra
1.4.5. Prince N
of Great Britain (1879)
- names received at christening: not christened (stillborn)
- known formally as: not applicable
- known to the family as: not applicable
1.4.6. Princess Beatrice of Great Britain (1884-1966)
- names received at christening: Beatrice Leopoldine
VICTORIA
- known formally as: Beatrice
- known to the family as: Baby Bea (Baby Bee)
1.5. Princess Helena of Great Britain (1846-1923)
- names received at christening: Helena Augusta
VICTORIA
- known formally as: Helena
- known to the family as: Lenchen
1.6. Princess Louise of Great Britain (1848-1939)
- names received at christening: Louise Caroline Alberta
- known formally as: Louise
- known to the family as: Loo-Loo, Loosy
1.7. Prince Arthur of Great Britain, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
(1850-1942)
- names received at christening: Arthur William Patrick
ALBERT
- known formally as: Arthur
- known to the family as: Arthur
1.7.1. Princess Margaret of Great Britain (1882-1920)
- names received at christening: Margaret VICTORIA
Charlotte Augusta Norah
- known formally as: Margaret
- known to the family as: Daisy
1.7.2. Prince Arthur of Great Britain (1883-1938)
- names received at christening: Arthur Frederick Patrick
ALBERT
- known formally as: Arthur
- known to the family as: Young Arthur
1.7.2.1. Prince Alastair of Great Britain (later Alastair Windsor, 2nd Duke
of Connaught) (1914-1943)
- names received at christening: Alastair Arthur
- known formally as: Alastair
- known to the family as: Alastair
1.7.3. Princess Patricia of Great Britain (1886-1974)
- names received at christening: VICTORIA Patricia
Helena Elizabeth
- known formally as: Patricia
- known to the family as: Patsy
1.8. Prince Leopold of Great Britain, Duke of Albany (1853-1884)
- names received at christening: Leopold George Duncan ALBERT
- known formally as: Leopold
- known to the family as: Leo
1.8.1. Princess Alice of Great Britain (1883-1981)
- names received at christening: Alice Mary VICTORIA
Augusta Pauline
- known formally as: Alice
- known to the family as: Little Alice (as a child)
1.8.2. Prince Charles Edward of Great Britain, Duke of Albany (later Karl
Eduard, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) (1884-1954)
- names received at christening: Leopold Charles Edward George
ALBERT
- known formally as: Charles Edward (he had been known officially as Leopold
for a short time as a very young infant)
- known to the family as: Charlie
1.8.2.1. Hereditary Prince Johann Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince
of Great Britain (1906-1972)
- names received at christening: Johann Leopold Wilhelm
ALBERT Ferdinand Victor
- known formally as: Johann Leopold
- known to the family as: Leopold
1.8.2.2. Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Princess of Great Britain
(1908-1972)
- names received at christening: Sibylla Calma Marie Alice Bathildis
Feodora
- known formally as: Sibylla
- known to the family as: Bylla
1.8.2.3. Prince Hubertus of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince of Great Britain
(1909-1943)
- names received at christening: Dietmar Hubertus Friedrich Wilhelm Philipp
- known formally as: Hubertus
- known to the family as:
1.8.2.4. Princess Caroline Mathilde of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Princess of
Great Britain (1912-1983)
- names received at christening: Caroline Mathilde Helene Ludwiga Augusta
Beatrice
- known formally as: Caroline Mathilde
- known to the family as: Calma
1.8.2.5. Prince Friedrich Josias of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince of Great
Britain (later Titular Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1932,
then Titular Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1954) (1918-1998)
- names received at christening: Friedrich Josias Carl Eduard Ernst Kirill
Harald
- known formally as: Friedrich Josias
- known to the family as:
1.9. Princess Beatrice of Great Britain (1857-1944)
- names received at christening: Beatrice Mary
VICTORIA Feodore
- known formally as: Beatrice
- known to the family as: Baby (as a child)
Back to Table of Contents
This website was last updated on 22 July 2005. © 1998-2006 Yvonne Demoskoff