They are among the most recognizable children in the world, growing up in a family surrounded by centuries of tradition, royal ceremonies, and public attention.
Yet when Prince George of Wales , Princess Charlotte of Wales, and Prince Louis of Wales enter the classroom, their everyday names are much simpler than the titles used at Buckingham Palace.
Rather than being addressed as Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, the three children are known by names that sound surprisingly ordinary.
And the explanation goes back to a royal tradition followed by their father, Prince William, and their uncle, Prince Harry.
6
The Three Names Used at School
The children’s school names follow a simple pattern: their first names, followed by Wales.
| Royal title | School name |
|---|---|
| Prince George of Wales | George Wales |
| Princess Charlotte of Wales | Charlotte Wales |
| Prince Louis of Wales | Louis Wales |
These names reflect their parents’ titles as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The practice allows the children to participate in everyday school activities without constantly using formal royal styles.
It doesn’t mean their royal titles have been removed or that they have legally changed their names. It is a practical naming convention associated with their family’s royal title.
4
Why Their Names Changed in 2022
For years, George and Charlotte were known at school by a different surname: Cambridge.
When Prince William and Catherine held the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their children used that territorial designation.
George attended Thomas’s Battersea school as George Cambridge, while Charlotte was known as Charlotte Cambridge.
Louis was still young when the family transitioned to their new titles.
Everything changed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022.
When King Charles III became monarch, William inherited the title Duke of Cornwall. The following day, Charles formally named William and Catherine the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Their children’s school surname consequently became Wales.
The transition coincided with a major change in their education: all three children began attending Lambrook School in Berkshire in September 2022.
Prince George Begins a New Chapter at Eton College
6
The school-name tradition has attracted renewed attention because George, now 13, began attending Eton College in September 2026.
It is an important milestone for the young prince, who is second in line to the British throne after his father.
Eton is one of Britain’s most famous schools, known for educating generations of influential figures, including members of the royal family.
Prince William attended Eton beginning in 1995, followed by his younger brother, Prince Harry.
Now George is following the same educational path.
Yet despite his future responsibilities, he is known in the school setting as George Wales rather than by his full royal title.
His younger siblings remain at Lambrook School in Berkshire, where Charlotte, 11, is in Year 7 and Louis, eight, is in Year 4.
Currently
+1
Princess Charlotte’s Everyday Identity
8
Princess Charlotte has grown up attending royal events alongside her parents and brothers.
From Trooping the Colour to Christmas church services, she has become a familiar presence in official family photographs.
At school, however, her name is simply Charlotte Wales.
Before 2022, she used Charlotte Cambridge, reflecting her parents’ former titles.
Her parents have also reportedly used affectionate nicknames for her at home, including Lottie.
These different names illustrate the contrast between Charlotte’s formal royal identity and her everyday family life.
Although she is third in line to the throne, her school name carries none of the elaborate styling associated with that position.
Marie Claire UK
+1
Prince Louis Has the Same Simple Surname
7
Prince Louis, the youngest of the three siblings, follows the same convention.
He is known as Louis Wales in school.
Born in April 2018, Louis has attracted considerable public affection through his appearances at royal celebrations.
His animated expressions during events such as Trooping the Colour have frequently become popular moments in royal coverage.
But beyond those appearances, Louis spends much of his time engaged in ordinary childhood activities, including schoolwork and family life.
The surname Wales connects him to his brother and sister while avoiding the need for his formal royal title in everyday classroom situations.
Their Father and Uncle Followed Exactly the Same Tradition
6
The practice is not something William and Catherine invented for their children.
When Prince William and Prince Harry were growing up, their father, then-Prince Charles, held the title Prince of Wales.
Consequently, the brothers used Wales as their surname.
At school, they were known as William Wales and Harry Wales.
The convention continued into their military careers.
Harry was famously known as Captain Wales during his Army service.
William also used Wales during his military training.
The family-name tradition therefore connects George, Charlotte, and Louis to their father’s own childhood experiences.
Town & Country
+1
Why Don’t Royals Simply Use Mountbatten-Windsor?
9
The explanation lies in the complicated history of royal surnames.
In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip established Mountbatten-Windsor as the surname for certain descendants who required one.
The name combines Windsor, the royal house name adopted during the reign of King George V, with Mountbatten, associated with Prince Philip’s family.
However, members of the royal family who hold princely titles do not necessarily use Mountbatten-Windsor in everyday life.
Instead, they may use a territorial designation connected to their parents’ titles.
This is why William and Harry used Wales, while George, Charlotte, and Louis previously used Cambridge.
The choice is not a secret identity. It is a longstanding naming convention within the British monarchy.
Inside Why
+1
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie Used a Similar Name
10
George, Charlotte, and Louis are not the only royal children to have followed this practice.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie used the surname York during their school years.
Their father held the title Duke of York, making York a convenient family designation.
The same principle explains the use of Cambridge and Wales among William and Catherine’s children.
These names are associated with royal titles, but they also function as practical surnames in situations where a first name alone is insufficient.
Inside Why
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Children Have Their Own Version
The tradition also extends to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have been referred to using the surname Sussex, reflecting their parents’ titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Their parents have publicly discussed the importance of sharing a family surname.
Although Archie and Lilibet live in the United States rather than the United Kingdom, the naming convention reflects a similar connection between royal titles and family identity.
Inside Why
Prince William Still Uses His Old School Name
One particularly interesting development came in October 2026.
Prince William made a discreet £5,000 donation to support Royal Marine Dave Bell, who completed a solo rowing challenge to raise money for the charity Rock2Recovery.
Rather than using his formal title, William made the donation under the name William Wales.
The contribution nearly went unnoticed until the fundraiser publicly thanked him.
It was a reminder that the name William used as a schoolboy remains part of his everyday identity decades later.
People.com
7
Three Royal Children, One Shared Family Name
For the public, George, Charlotte, and Louis will always be known by their royal titles.
Their positions in the line of succession ensure that their lives will remain closely connected to the monarchy.
Yet their school names reveal a quieter side of royal tradition.
George Wales, Charlotte Wales, and Louis Wales are names that could easily appear on an ordinary classroom register.
The convention does not erase their royal status, but it allows them to participate in everyday school routines without constantly invoking it.
And with George beginning his studies at Eton in 2026, the tradition has taken on renewed significance.
The future king is following in his father’s footsteps, right down to the surname used at school.
Behind three of Britain’s most famous royal titles are three surprisingly simple names—and a family tradition that has lasted for generations
For more headline-making public appearances, take a look at Paris Fashion Week’s boldest looks, Lisa Bonet’s rare appearance, and Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s quiet beach walk.
