To millions of people around the world, they are Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — three of the most recognizable children in the British royal family.
But inside their classrooms, the children of Prince William and Princess Catherine are known by surprisingly ordinary names.
There are no elaborate royal titles attached to their schoolwork, and their teachers do not need to address them as His or Her Royal Highness.
Instead, the three siblings follow a longstanding royal tradition that allows them to use a much simpler identity during everyday school life.
And the names they use today are different from the ones they used just a few years ago.
The change is connected to a major moment in British royal history: the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III.
Now, with Prince George beginning a new chapter at one of Britain’s most prestigious boarding schools, the family’s unusual naming tradition has attracted renewed attention.
RARE PHOTOS: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Growing Up
Prince William and Princess Catherine have three children.
Their eldest, Prince George Alexander Louis, was born on July 22, 2013, and is now 13 years old.
Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was born on May 2, 2015, making her 11.
Their youngest, Prince Louis Arthur Charles, was born on April 23, 2018, and is eight.
As the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales, all three hold royal titles.
George is second in line to the British throne, behind his father.
Charlotte is third, while Louis is fourth.
Their positions mean that they are likely to remain prominent members of the royal family throughout their lives.
Yet William and Catherine have consistently tried to ensure their children experience ordinary childhood activities alongside their royal responsibilities.
That includes attending school, making friends, playing sports, and participating in everyday classroom routines.
And one small detail helps make that possible.
The Surprising Names They Actually Use at School
Although the world knows them by their royal titles, the three children use the surname Wales at school.
That means they are known as:
George Wales, Charlotte Wales, and Louis Wales.
The surname comes from their parents’ titles as Prince and Princess of Wales.
It allows the children to be identified in the same basic way as their classmates, using a first name and surname rather than a formal royal title.
The arrangement is not a secret identity or an attempt to conceal who they are.
Their classmates and teachers are well aware of their royal connections.
Instead, it is a practical convention that has been used by members of the royal family for generations.
The names are particularly useful for school registers, sports activities, and other situations where a conventional surname is needed.
According to reports published in October 2026, the three siblings continue using this tradition despite attending different schools. Page Six
But They Weren’t Always Called Wales
Perhaps the most surprising part of the story is that George, Charlotte, and Louis previously used another surname.
Before September 2022, the children were known as:
George Cambridge, Charlotte Cambridge, and Louis Cambridge.
At the time, their parents held the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The children therefore used Cambridge as their informal surname.
Everything changed following Queen Elizabeth II’s death on September 8, 2022.
King Charles III became monarch, and Prince William inherited the title Prince of Wales.
Catherine subsequently became Princess of Wales.
As a result, the children’s royal styles changed to Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, and Prince Louis of Wales.
Their school surname changed accordingly.
What might seem like a small administrative detail actually reflects one of the most significant transitions in modern royal history.
The children went from being members of the Cambridge family to being known as the Wales children. Tyla
RARE PHOTOS: Their First Day at Lambrook School
In September 2022, William and Catherine accompanied their three children to Lambrook School in Berkshire.
The family had recently moved from London to Windsor, hoping to create a more relaxed environment for their children.
The photographs from that day captured an affectionate family moment.
George, Charlotte, and Louis wore their school uniforms as they walked alongside their parents.
Catherine wore a brown polka-dot dress, while William chose a navy blazer and trousers.
The children appeared excited as they approached the school.
They were greeted by headmaster Jonathan Perry, who welcomed each of them individually.
For Louis, it was an especially significant milestone because he was beginning school alongside his older siblings.
The photographs showed a family experiencing a familiar childhood event, even though their circumstances were extraordinary.
Just one day later, Queen Elizabeth II died.
The event changed the family’s royal titles and, consequently, the surnames the children would use at school.
Prince George Has Now Started at Eton College
The 2026 school year brought another major change.
On September 8, Prince George officially began attending Eton College.
The prestigious boarding school is located near Windsor and has educated generations of influential British figures.
George’s father, Prince William, attended Eton between 1995 and 2000.
His uncle, Prince Harry, also studied there.
By enrolling at Eton, George is following a family tradition.
Photographs from his first day showed the 13-year-old arriving with both parents.
He was greeted by the school’s headmaster, Simon Henderson, and provost, Sir Nicholas Coleridge.
George appeared relaxed as he began the next stage of his education.
Official portraits also showed him wearing Eton’s distinctive uniform.
The traditional outfit includes a black tailcoat, waistcoat, striped trousers, and a white collar.
It is a striking contrast to the casual school uniforms George wore as a younger child.
But despite the formality of his new school, his everyday name remains straightforward.
He is known as George Wales. People.com
The Emotional Change for William and Kate
George’s move to Eton represents more than a change of school.
For the first time, the eldest Wales child is attending boarding school rather than returning home every afternoon.
That means William and Catherine are adjusting to a different family routine.
For years, their three children attended the same school.
They shared school runs, activities, and everyday experiences.
Now George is beginning a more independent chapter.
His parents accompanied him on his first day, helping him settle into his new surroundings.
Eton is located relatively close to the family’s Windsor home, allowing George opportunities to visit during scheduled breaks.
In early October 2026, the school held its first short leave of the academic year.
The scheduled break allowed boarding students to spend time away from school, often with their families.
For William and Catherine, the arrangement provides a balance between encouraging independence and maintaining close family connections. People.com
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Remain at Lambrook
While George has moved to Eton, his younger siblings continue attending Lambrook School.
Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, returned for the new academic year in September 2026.
Charlotte is now in Year 7, while Louis is in Year 4.
Lambrook is an independent preparatory school situated in the Berkshire countryside.
Its facilities include sports fields, a swimming pool, performing arts spaces, and extensive outdoor areas.
The school places considerable emphasis on outdoor education.
Students have opportunities to participate in activities involving gardening, nature, and practical learning.
For Charlotte and Louis, the environment offers a combination of academic education and childhood experiences.
Despite their royal status, the siblings participate in the school’s ordinary routines.
And when a surname is required, they remain Charlotte Wales and Louis Wales. People.com
Why Royal Children Don’t Always Use Traditional Surnames
The British royal family’s naming conventions can be confusing.
Unlike most families, members of the monarchy frequently use titles that reflect their position within the royal household.
The royal family also has the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, established in 1960 for certain descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
However, royals who hold titles do not necessarily use that surname in everyday life.
Instead, they may adopt a surname based on a territorial title associated with their parents.
That is why George, Charlotte, and Louis use Wales.
The convention allows royal children to participate in ordinary school activities without requiring formal titles in every interaction.
It also reflects a tradition followed by previous generations.
And one of the clearest examples comes from their own father.
Prince William Used the Same Surname at School
When Prince William was a student, he was known as William Wales.
At the time, his father, then-Prince Charles, held the title Prince of Wales.
William and Harry therefore used Wales as their surname.
The arrangement continued beyond childhood.
Both brothers used the name during parts of their military careers.
William was known as William Wales, while Harry was known as Harry Wales.
The convention allowed them to function within institutions where conventional surnames were expected.
Now, decades later, William’s children are following the same practice.
The difference is that William has become the Prince of Wales himself.
His children therefore use the same surname he once used, but this time because of his own title.
It creates an interesting connection between two generations of the royal family.
RARE PHOTOS: Prince William’s First Day at Eton Compared With George’s
George’s arrival at Eton in September 2026 invited comparisons with his father’s first day at the school.
In 1995, a 13-year-old William arrived accompanied by his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and his younger brother Harry.
Photographers captured the family outside the historic institution.
William wore a dark suit as he prepared to begin boarding school.
More than three decades later, George experienced a remarkably similar milestone.
He arrived at the same school with his parents.
Like William, he was 13 years old.
And like his father, he began his education there while occupying second place in the line of succession.
The parallels were difficult to miss.
Yet the circumstances were also different.
William’s childhood unfolded during a period of intense media scrutiny.
George’s parents have worked to establish stricter boundaries around their children’s private lives.
That difference reflects the family’s evolving approach to raising the next generation of royals.
Princess Charlotte’s Future School Remains an Open Question
While George has begun boarding at Eton, Charlotte’s future educational path remains less certain.
Eton is traditionally an all-boys school.
That means Charlotte will not follow her brother there under the school’s current admissions arrangements.
Some royal observers have suggested she could eventually attend Marlborough College, where her mother studied.
Marlborough is a coeducational boarding school in Wiltshire.
Catherine attended the institution before studying at the University of St Andrews, where she met Prince William.
However, no official announcement has confirmed Charlotte’s next school.
For now, she remains at Lambrook.
Her eventual transition will represent another important milestone for the Wales family.
And regardless of which school she attends, the surname tradition may continue.
Prince Louis Is Still Enjoying His Primary School Years
At eight years old, Prince Louis is the youngest member of the family.
He has become known for his expressive reactions during royal appearances.
Photographs of Louis at Trooping the Colour and other public events have frequently attracted attention.
His spontaneous expressions have made him a favorite among royal watchers.
But away from public ceremonies, Louis is still a schoolboy.
He attends lessons, participates in activities, and spends time with classmates.
His parents have spoken about their desire to give their children opportunities to enjoy ordinary experiences.
For Louis, that includes the outdoor activities available at Lambrook.
The school’s countryside setting offers opportunities for sports, exploration, and practical learning.
And despite his royal title, he is simply Louis Wales during school activities.
RARE PHOTOS: Prince Louis’s Most Memorable Royal Moments
Prince Louis has become one of the most recognizable young royals because of his natural reactions during public appearances.
At Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, he attracted attention for his animated expressions.
He was photographed covering his ears during a loud flypast.
Other images showed him making faces while seated beside his mother.
The moments delighted audiences because they revealed an ordinary child’s response to an extraordinary event.
Since then, Louis has continued appearing at selected royal occasions.
His expressions frequently contrast with the formality of the ceremonies around him.
Yet his parents have generally allowed him to behave naturally while gently guiding him through public events.
Those moments reinforce the family’s efforts to balance royal responsibilities with childhood.
Kate Middleton’s Approach to Raising Three Royal Children
Catherine has repeatedly emphasized the importance of early childhood development.
Her public work has focused extensively on how childhood experiences shape emotional well-being and future relationships.
As a mother, she has spoken about the importance of spending time outdoors and creating supportive family environments.
The family’s decision to move to Windsor in 2022 reflected some of those priorities.
Rather than remaining permanently in central London, William and Catherine wanted their children to enjoy more space and privacy.
Their school choices have also reflected that approach.
Lambrook offers extensive outdoor facilities and a broad curriculum.
Eton provides George with a more independent educational environment while remaining relatively close to the family home.
The use of informal school names fits into the same general philosophy.
The children retain their royal identities, but their daily routines are designed to be as ordinary as possible.
The Family’s New Chapter in Windsor
In 2025, William and Catherine moved with their children to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park.
The property offers greater space and privacy than their previous residence at Adelaide Cottage.
It also provides a convenient base for the children’s education.
Charlotte and Louis attend Lambrook nearby.
George’s school, Eton, is also located in the Windsor area.
The arrangement allows the family to maintain close connections despite George’s move to boarding school.
It also reflects William and Catherine’s efforts to establish a stable family environment.
As the children grow older, their schedules and responsibilities will inevitably change.
George will face increasing attention because of his future role as king.
Charlotte and Louis will also develop their own interests and public responsibilities.
For now, however, their parents appear determined to protect as much of their childhood as possible.
Why Their School Names Matter More Than You Might Think
At first glance, the names George Wales, Charlotte Wales, and Louis Wales might seem like a minor royal curiosity.
But they reveal something interesting about how the monarchy adapts to everyday life.
The children are among the most prominent members of the British royal family.
Their futures are closely connected to the institution’s history.
Yet they still need to attend school, complete assignments, and build friendships.
Using ordinary names helps bridge those two worlds.
It allows the children to participate in school life without constantly emphasizing their royal titles.
The tradition also connects them to their father and uncle, who experienced similar arrangements during their own childhoods.
And because the names are linked to royal titles, they can change when the family’s position changes.
That is precisely what happened in September 2022.
The Three Names That Reveal a Royal Family Tradition
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis may be destined for lives filled with royal ceremonies and public responsibilities.
But at school, their identities are much simpler.
George is George Wales.
Charlotte is Charlotte Wales.
And Louis is Louis Wales.
Before their parents became Prince and Princess of Wales, the siblings used Cambridge instead.
The change reflects a tradition that has been followed by generations of royal children.
It also demonstrates how their everyday lives are influenced by events within the monarchy.
For George, the beginning of his education at Eton marks an important new chapter.
For Charlotte and Louis, life continues at Lambrook.
And for William and Catherine, the challenge remains the same: helping three children grow up with as much normality as possible while preparing them for extraordinary futures.
Perhaps the most charming detail is that, despite their royal titles, the future king and his siblings still answer to names that sound remarkably ordinary when called across a classroom.
Sources: pagesix.com, hellomagazine.com, people.com, instyle.com, itv.com, netmums.com, tyla.com.
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