A number of kings have used one of their middle names

He has discussed ditching the title Charles III because of associations with some of the bloodiest periods in the monarchy's history, the Times says.

A number of kings in the past have adopted one of their middle names on ascension to the throne.

But Clarence House said that a choice would not be made until the coronation and the report was "idle speculation".

Four of the past six monarchs have adopted different titles, including The Queen's father George VI, who was christened Prince Albert.

A senior Royal official quoted in the Times said there had been an assumption the Prince would keep the name Charles.

Tribute?

The Prince of Wales was christened Charles Philip Arthur George.

Charles I was the only member of the monarchy to be executed, while there is said to be sensitivity about Bonnie Prince Charlie, the grandson of the deposed Catholic King James II.

Known as Charles III by supporters, he launched the 1745 Jacobite rising, the last Scottish campaign on English soil.

Former Buckingham Palace press spokesman Dickie Arbiter said by using the name George, Charles would be paying tribute to the both his grandparents.

"It would not just be a tribute to his grandfather, but a sort of loving memory to his late grandmother, whom he absolutely adored," Mr Arbiter told BBC Radio Five Live.

"When she died in 2002, he was absolutely devastated."

The Prince's great uncle, who became Edward VIII, was known as David by friends, one of his given names, said Mr Arbiter.