The Luxembourgish Grand Ducal Family welcomed is newest member on Tuesday, 14th May, and, despite not bearing any royal titles, as far as we know so far, she was given a name with a poignant royal history: Victoire, or Victoria in English.
It was a little used name until the 19th century but the accession of Queen Victoria, in 1837, made it one of the most famous in Europe. And thanks to the links of the second-longest reigning monarch in British history to many European royal families, it has become a name bestowed upon some influential royal women for decades. In fact, many of her first and second generation descendants were given the name.
In the late 20th century, another queen in waiting was given the name. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden made history as she became the first female to surpass a male heir in the succession line in her country. She is set to succeed her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, one day.
There is also Victoria Federica de Marichalar y Borbón, daughter of King Felipe of Spain’s eldest sister, Infanta Elena. She shortly held the third position in line to the Spanish throne, following her birth in 2000, but is now fifth.
But Victoria has seen a vast use as a middle name in royal families as well, with the heir to the Dutch throne’s full name being Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria; currently a university student, she will eventually inherit the throne of the Netherlands from her father, returning the country to its strong tradition of female monarchs.
In Belgium, King Philippe’s youngest child is Princess Eléonore Fabiola Victoria Anne Maria; while the throne will most likely pass on to her eldest sibling, Princess Elisabeth, the youngest member of the family will likely perform royal duties in support of the country and the monarch’s work.
In Spain, King Felipe’s older sister is named Infanta Cristina Federica Victoria Antonia; she was stripped of her title of Duchess of Palma as she went through a lengthy legal battle that ultimately cleared her.
And finally, in the United Kingdom, the name’s legacy was carried on by Prince Andrew’s youngest daughter, whose full name is Eugenie Victoria Helena; she married Jack Brooksbank in 2018, and the couple went on to have two children, August and Ernest.
For many, the name carries a royal aura with it, a sign of how much Queen Victoria is still an influence in today’s day and age; this could explain why, while it’s still a popular name, its use has been slowly declining over the last 5 years, with preference being accorded to more modern and unique names.
In conclusion, a name fit for the family this new baby girl was born into.
