<p>George or James or Richard.</p>
<p>what’s the big secret?..</p>
<p>You have to look to history to see who the “good” kings were and who the “bad” kings were…or read your Shakespeare. Probably won’t be a John or a Richard. Henry and George are good bets - but Uncle Harry is a Henry. Same with Charles. James…maybe. Although, they could break with tradition. Philip might be a contender. And…it really doesn’t matter what his first name is - it might not be his “monarch” name. Prince Charles is going to be King George.</p>
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<p>Maybe… lol.</p>
<p>Philip after William’s grandfather who has been in ill-health lately would be a great choice. Pippa is Philippa so there’s that too. I really hope it’s not George.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’ll be George. It’s not likely that Kate and William will go with the bookies’ choice.</p>
<p>I just read an article in the Daily Mail that says that Kate & Willliam have to get the Queen’s permission before they announce a name. William’s uncle (Prince Charles’ brother) Edward and his wife Sophie wanted to name their son Theodore, but the Queen vetoed their choice and their son is James.</p>
<p>Eek.
Another reason it’s nice to be a commoner ;)</p>
<p>OK, you are free to name your kid Tiffany, but they get a lot of free bling.</p>
<p>Well then, since Edward’s son is James, that name seems unlikely. The Queen probably did the kid a favor by vetoing Theodore!</p>
<p>Just how many royal male names are there, anyway? James, Charles, Henry, William, Edward, Andrew, and possibly Phillip are probably off the table because of near relations. What’s left? Arthur, Louis (please no), Albert (ditto), Richard, George? Of those, I guess I like Richard best. Did I miss any?</p>
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<p>I was hoping for a girl just so we’d see if it came down to a split succession, if some of the 15 Commonwealth countries that recognize the British monarch didn’t change their laws to abolish royal primogeniture. I think it would have been kind of cool to have a King of Canada and a Queen of England at the same time. Not that I’m likely to be around long enough to see it.</p>
<p>As for a name, I think it’s Albert. That was the Queen’s father’s given name, Albert Frederick Arthur George, who became King George VI after his brother Edward VIII abdicated. Edward’s out; stain on the family name. George just seems too obvious. Albert has a nice royal family touch, but also evokes the Victorian era and Prince Albert, the royal consort, thus in a way paying homage to the two longest-serving British monarchs. </p>
<p>And Arthur reaches deep into foundational national myths, so I think that gets in there as well. So I’m going with Albert and Arthur as two of probably four given names. Could be Albert Arthur Philip George. Yeah, sounds good, my $2 is on Albert Arthur Philip George.</p>
<p>My dad’s name was George and it seemed kind of uncool growing up. His parents were Scottish and his dad was James. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found these kind of names more cool. Bond, James Bond. It does not get much cooler than that. I think the baby will be named something classic but I guess you ever know.</p>
<p>It won’t be James. The name James is revered in Scotland because Scotland had many kings by that name, some highly regarded. England has had two King James. Neither has fared very well in English historical accounts. Perhaps some of the historical accounts are unfair, but there’s no way William and Kate wade into that morass.</p>
<p>My bet is on…</p>
<p>George Philip Charles Frances</p>
<p>Philip being the Queen’s husband, Charles being the paternal grandfather, and Frances being Catherine’s fathers middle name as well as the late Princess Diana’s middle name. I agree Spencer will be avoided (although I like it) and Frances honors both.</p>
<p>I think you’re right, bclintonk, about James. My husband said the same thing. Too much associated with Scotland. My great grandfather was James but he was from Scotland. I always liked George because it was my dad’s name and then we have George Clooney! I’ll bet the announcement will be soon. I thought Frances is a girl’s spelling so I hope they avoid that?</p>
<p>It won’t be James because Kate’s brother’s name is James. </p>
<p>George is apparently a more popular name in the UK than it is here, and it would honor the baby’s great-grandfather, who was a pretty good, scandal-free king. But I read somewhere that Prince Charles wants to take the regnal name George when he becomes king. If William and Kate name their baby George, that sort of eliminates that possibility.</p>
<p>I’m still voting for George, though, despite Charles’ potential ire.</p>
<p>You’re right sevmom. Catherine’s father uses the spelling Francis. I’m sure if they chose this that’s the spelling that would be used. Whoops. :o</p>
<p>Still think Francis/Frances is too closely associated with Diana’s mother, who was problematic. </p>
<p>I see there was one called Sweyn Forkbeard. Son of Harald Bluetooth, father of Cnut the Great. But in the mid 980s he revolted against his father and seized the throne. Not a good idea.</p>
<p>I think Frederick is a contender. George V and VI had it in their full names.</p>
<p>Radio said we should find out later today.</p>