Here’s the Family Meaning Behind Prince Louis Arthur Charles’ Name
Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton welcomed their third child, a boy, on Monday, April 23, and on Friday, the royal couple revealed the newest addition’s name. Louis Arthur Charles might not have been among the top predictions, but it isn’t entirely unexpected — the name holds a lot of family significance.
The name Louis is likely a nod to Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, whose grandfather was Prince Louis Alexander of Battenberg. Several British royal family members have actually had Louis as one of their middle names — including the newborn’s father, Prince William, whose full name is William Arthur Philip Louis, and big brother, Prince George, whose full name is George Alexander Louis.
Additionally, Prince Charles, the new royal baby’s grandfather, had a beloved great-uncle Earl Louis Mountbatten, who was reportedly a great mentor to Charles before he was assassinated in 1979. Louis means “famous warrior” in French.
Arthur, the prince’s second name, was actually the frontrunner as a first-name prediction with UK bookmakers, mostly likely because of its family tradition: Both William and Charles have it as a middle name. It also obviously dates back to the legendary King Arthur, and was the name of one of Queen Victoria’s sons.
Charles, of course, is in honor of William’s dad, Prince Charles. Prince Harry also shares Charles as a middle name — his full name is Henry Charles Albert David.
Prince Louis shares a three-name designation with both of his siblings, George Alexander Louis, 4, and Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, 2, whose names are also loaded with family tradition.
What do you think of little Prince Louis’ name? Let us know @BritandCo!
(photo via Chris Jackson/Getty Images)