George VII was also conceivable: why the new king Charles III. called

George VII was also conceivable
Why the new king Charles III. called

By Nicole Ankelman
9/9/2022, 4:34 PM

Although Charles was the first Christian name of King Charles III. he could have chosen a different option. This is how George VII would have envisioned. After all, there are already two “Charleses” in the history of Britain with a rather inglorious past.

Britain has had a new king since the death of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday. His name is King Charles III, but the heir to the throne, formerly known as Prince Charles or Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor, could have chosen a different name, as “The Times” reports. Especially since neither Charles I nor Charles II are particularly positive monarchs in the history of the country.

According to various British media, it would have been conceivable that Charles would decide to take on the position of George VII. George VI was his grandfather, father of Elizabeth, originally baptized Albert. The choice of the name George was again a tribute to his father, George V, and to provide continuity within the royal family amid the crisis surrounding his older brother’s abdication.

Middle name often rules

In general, several monarchs have ruled under their middle name. Queen Victoria’s successor chose Edward VII, although his real name was Albert. He decided against his late mother’s wishes, as the name Albert would be forever associated with his father, Prince Albert. Victoria herself was baptized with the name Alexandrina Victoria, but chose to rule under the name Victoria by which she was known. Edward VIII was indeed an Edward, but throughout his life he was known as David to his family and close friends.

The new king was known to the public as Charles all his life, which may have been one of the main reasons for this decision. And with luck, at least with this name they will have a direct association with Charles I and II. Their inglorious tales go back to the time of religious conflict and the English Civil War.

One beheaded, the other a Hallodri

Charles I took over the crown in 1625 at the age of 24 and took a Protestant and at the same time chaotic foreign policy course during the Thirty Years’ War. He was convinced of the idea of ​​divine right and repeatedly ignored the resolutions of parliament and his rights.

And so he overestimated his position when he ordered the trial and execution of his chief adviser, the Earl of Strafford. In the end, this decision cost Charles I himself the head – and not just in a figurative sense. He was beheaded for treason in January 1649. His remains were buried in Windsor Castle next to that of Henry VIII, who also fell out of favor during his wild life. He had six wives, two of whom were executed. Added to this were the Reformation and the closing of monasteries, the persecution of Catholics and madness. But that’s only marginal.

In any case, Charles II was only 18 years old when his father was executed and from then on he was the new king. He first had to evade Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell and the proclaimed republic to Scotland and later to Normandy. After Cromwell’s death, Charles II returned to Britain as king in 1660. In general, he did his job better than his father, but he dissolved parliament several times. In addition, his lifestyle role model was his French cousin, the Sun King Louis XIV, who was best known for his numerous mistresses. And so Charles II also had many illegitimate children.

That Charles is now King Charles III. and not George VII. is probably also due to the fact that there is already a “real” George in the line of succession with his grandson George, son of William. In the case of the reigning king himself, this name occurs only in fourth place. In addition, this decision can be taken as a tribute to his deceased parents, who together chose the name Charles for their firstborn because they just liked it.