As an expert in British royal lineage and traditions, I can provide you with a detailed account of the surnames used by members of the British royal family, specifically focusing on King Charles III, who is the current heir apparent to the British throne as of my last update.
The British royal family does not traditionally use a surname in the way that commoners do. However, there are instances where a surname is necessary, such as in legal documents or for members of the royal family who hold military ranks. In these cases, the surname "Windsor" is used, which was adopted by the royal family in 1917 from the German "Saxe-Coburg and Gotha" due to anti-German sentiment during World War I. The name "Windsor" was chosen because of its strong English associations and its connection to the historic Windsor Castle.
The name "Mountbatten-Windsor" is a hybrid surname that was created following the marriage of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Elizabeth II. It combines Prince Philip's family name, "Mountbatten," with the royal family's chosen surname, "Windsor." This surname is used by some male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip who do not hold royal titles or styles. The declaration made in the Privy Council in 1960 stipulated that this surname would apply to those descendants.
However, it is important to note that members of the royal family with the title of Prince or Princess, such as Prince William or Princess Anne, would not use the surname "Mountbatten-Windsor" or "Windsor" in their official capacity. Instead, they are known by their titles. For example, Prince William is known as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his children are known as Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
When it comes to King Charles III, as the heir apparent and a member of the royal family with a royal title, he would not use a surname in his official capacity. However, if a surname were required for legal or military purposes, it would be "Windsor," following the tradition established by his great-grandfather King George V and continued by his grandfather, father, and other members of the royal family.
In conclusion, while the British royal family does not use surnames in the same way as the general public, the surname "Windsor" is used when necessary, and "Mountbatten-Windsor" is used by some male-line descendants without royal titles. For King Charles III, his official name does not include a surname, but if one were required, it would be "Windsor."
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Mountbatten-Windsor is the personal surname used by some of the male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Under a declaration made in Privy Council in 1960, the name Mountbatten-Windsor applies to male-line descendants of the Queen without royal styles and titles.read more >>