From King George VI's unexpected name change to Prince Harry's lesser-known first name, many of the world's most famous royals were born with entirely different monikers than the ones they go by.
Whether they've adopted regnal names after ascending the thrones or embraced a childhood nickname, these royal monikers all hide fascinating stories behind them. Join HELLO! as we discover the surprising real names of some of history's most recognisable royals.
King George VI
Queen Elizabeth II's father, King George VI, was actually born Albert Frederick Arthur George, and never expected to be crowned king.
After his older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson, Albert ascended the throne and chose to go by King George VI in honour of his late father, George V. The decision came down to a desire for continuity and stability following Edward's shocking abdication, which left the monarchy rattled for years.
George may have been the king’s regnal name, but to close friends and family, he was better known as "Bertie", in a nod to his real name.
The Queen Mother
© Georges De KeerleThe Queen Mother's real name was Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, and she was known as Queen Elizabeth during her husband King George VI's reign from 1936 to 1952.
After his death, Elizabeth's daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, ascended the throne. To avoid confusion, she adopted the title of Queen Mother, which she was known by for the remainder of her life.
Prince Harry
© Getty ImagesPrince Harry is a name known worldwide, thanks to his royal blood and recent controversies. Yet many don't know that his real name is actually Henry Charles Albert David, rather than Harry, which acts as a nickname for the 41-year-old.
The Duke of Sussex revealed during a talk with the winners of the WellChild Awards in 2022 that he actually didn't know the origin of his nickname. "My name is Henry as well," he said while talking to a child that shared his name. "But everyone calls me Harry. I have no idea why."
The prince still goes by Henry on formal occasions, like when his engagement to Meghan Markle was announced in 2017. "His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle are engaged to be married," read the statement.
Meghan Markle
© Variety via Getty ImagesJust like her husband, Meghan Markle's real name differs from the one she is best known by. Meghan was actually born Rachel Meghan Markle, yet opted to go by her middle name when she began her acting career.
It is not known why she decided to axe her first name, but it is a happy coincidence considering her character on Suits was also named Rachel.
Princess Kate
© Samir Hussein/WireImageThe Princess of Wales' birth name is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, yet she quickly became known as Kate Middleton by the media when she first began dating Prince William. Kate is a common nickname for Catherine, yet, interestingly, it starts with a 'K' rather than a 'C'.
Prince Harry shed some light on her name in his 2023 book Spare, revealing that his father and stepmother suggested she officially change the spelling of her formal name to Katherine.
"I remembered the time [King Charles] and Camilla wanted Kate to change the spelling of her name, because there were already two royal cyphers with a C and a crown above," he wrote. "Charles and Camilla. It would be too confusing to have another. Make it Katherine with a K, they suggested. I wondered now what came of that suggestion."
Pippa Middleton
© WireImageAlthough she is not technically a royal, Pippa Middleton is a favourite of royal watchers everywhere thanks to her graceful, elegant demeanour and close bond with her sister, Princess Kate.
Pippa was actually born Philippa Charlotte Middleton, with Pippa being a common nickname for Philippa. She now goes by Pippa Matthews, after her marriage to billionaire James Matthews in 2017.
Queen Victoria
© Getty ImagesThe iconic ruler's birth name was Alexandrina Victoria, in honour of her godfather, Tsar Alexander I of Russia, yet she chose to change her moniker upon her ascent to the British throne.
She instead opted for her middle name, Victoria, despite being advised that it didn't sound royal enough.
King Charles
© WireImageRoyal pundits widely believed that Charles would change his name after his coronation in 2023, as other royals (like his grandfather) had done in the past. It was thought that Charles wouldn't want to be associated with the previous kings who shared his name.
Charles I was overthrown by Oliver Cromwell in the English Civil War in 1649, while his son, Charles II, restored the monarchy in 1660, yet developed a reputation for philandering and partying, and also ruled during the Great Fire of London and a vicious bout of the plague.
Despite this, Charles surprised many royal watchers by choosing to go with his birth name and become King Charles III, likely due to the fact that he ascended the throne at 73 years old and had been known by the moniker his entire life.
Queen Rania
© Getty ImagesOver in Jordan, the queen of the Arabian country was born Rania Al-Yassin to Palestinian parents in Kuwait. Rania, who worked in marketing for several years before meeting King Abdullah II of Jordan, became Rania Al Abdullah after their wedding in 1993.
Princess Rajwa
© Royal Hashemite CourtRania’s daughter-in-law, Princess Rajwa, was born Rajwa Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif, the daughter of a Saudi businessman. She changed her name to Rajwa Al Hussein after marrying Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan, in 2023.
Queen Mary
© Getty ImagesThe beloved Danish queen was born in Australia to Scottish parents and given the name Mary Elizabeth Donaldson.
She was then named Crown Princess Mary of Denmark after her marriage to Crown Prince Frederik in 2004, and became Queen Mary of Denmark when his mother, Queen Margrethe II, abdicated the throne in 2024.
Prince Albert II
© Getty ImagesMonaco is ruled not by a king but by a Sovereign Prince – Prince Albert II, who ascended the throne in 2005.
This technicality is due to the fact that Monaco is a principality rather than a kingdom. The prince's real name is Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre Grimaldi, pointing to his descent from the House of Grimaldi, who had ruled Monaco since 1297.
Princess Anne
© Getty ImagesThe daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne was born Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise in 1950. As her full name is quite a tongue-twister, it is much simpler to refer to her as just Anne.
Another royal may have inspired her first name, as it was originally intended for her aunt, Princess Margaret. William Shawcross wrote in his 2009 book The Queen Mother: The Official Biography that Margaret was originally named Ann. However, her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), buckled under pressure after George VI's parents suggested Margaret instead. So, a generation later, when Princess Anne was born, her name was a likely nod to her parents' original wish.
