While her full name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, is a deep homage to female royals, many people don't realise the hidden meaning behind her name. Her middle names Elizabeth, after the late Queen, and Diana, after her grandmother, are obvious tributes. Interestingly, Charlotte is the female version of Charles, linking her directly to her grandfather, the 75-year-old King.
This suggests that when Prince William and Duchess Kate named their daughter, they had him in mind. Charlotte has historical significance in the royal family, having previously belonged to Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the longest-reigning Queen of the United Kingdom from 1761 until her death in 1818 as the wife of George III.
Her name also pays tribute to modern royalty. Reports suggest that Charlotte’s first and middle names were chosen with the Middleton family’s heritage in mind. Princess Kate has a close relationship with her older sister Pippa Middleton, whose middle name is Charlotte, reflecting this connection. The Middleton family has long held the name Elizabeth in high regard, which is Princess Kate’s personal middle name and was also used by her mother, Carole Middleton.
The tradition arose after Carole’s grandmother, Elizabeth Harrison, passed away when Kate was just nine years old. With deep roots in both families, the name Charlotte symbolises these important relationships. The princess enjoyed quality time with her grandparents, Carole and Michael Middleton, as well as with the rest of the royal family, including at the Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
Following Kate's cancer diagnosis this year, Carole's support may have strengthened the family bond. She has played a key role in keeping the family together with simplicity and grace. An insider revealed that Carole has been a constant supporter of George, Louis and Charlotte, taking them to school and extracurricular activities, truly acting as a modern-day Mary Poppins.