Will Prince George Reign as King George VII? Royal Tradition Leaves Room for Change

With King Charles III now firmly established on the throne, attention is beginning to shift toward the generations to come – and, inevitably, toward Prince George, the second in line to the throne. While it is widely assumed he will one day become King George VII, royal tradition suggests the reality could be more nuanced.

When a new monarch accedes, they are entitled to choose their regnal name – a tradition that offers a degree of personal agency within a highly ceremonial role. Though many do choose their first given name, it is by no means required.

King Charles III, who succeeded Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, considered this decision carefully. Born Charles Philip Arthur George, he reportedly weighed alternative regnal names – with “King George” being a strong contender – due to the troubled legacies of previous monarchs named Charles. Charles I was executed during the English Civil War, while Charles II presided over a period of intense political and religious upheaval. Ultimately, he chose to retain his given name and became the first King Charles in over three centuries.

His son, the Prince of Wales – William Arthur Philip Louis – and grandson, George Alexander Louis, will one day face the same choice. Prince George, whose name already echoes six former monarchs, would become King George VII if he retains it upon accession. However, as history has shown, regnal names can reflect more than lineage – they may also signal stability, continuity, or even a subtle departure from the past.

The last monarch to opt for a different regnal name was King George VI, born Prince Albert, who selected “George” to honour his father and signal reassurance during a turbulent time. Edward VII similarly chose to rule under his middle name rather than Albert.

Whether Prince George will follow this convention or keep the name by which the public already knows him remains to be seen. As with all royal titles, the final decision will not be revealed until the moment it matters most.