What is the Queen's surname and why doesn't she use it?

Here's why!

When we hear about the Royal Family, they are always referred to by their first name and royal title. But curiously enough, we never hear about a surname. So what is their surname, and why do none of the royals ever use it?

What is the Queen's surname?

In 1917, George V decided that all descendants in the male line of Queen Victoria would take 'Windsor' as their surname, after the name of the Royal 'House'. When The Queen acceded to the throne in 1952, she confirmed 'Windsor' to be the official Royal Family name.

However, eight years later in 1960, The Queen and her husband decided that they would like their own direct descendants to have a different surname to distinguish them from other descendants of George V. Therefore, all The Queen's descendants now carry the name of Mountbatten-Windsor.

Where did the name 'Mountbatten' come from?

A very good question. Before The Queen married The Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke was Prince Philip of Greece. But when he became naturalised in 1947, he took the name of Philip Mountbatten as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

Therefore, whenever any members of the Royal Family need a surname for a particular practice (like if they're getting married), they will assume the name of Mountbatten-Windsor.

Why don't the royals use their surname?

Before 1917, the Royal Family didn't assume a surname, as they were easily identifiable without one. And 100 years later, not much has changed: the Royals are generally so famous that they don't need a surname.

Instead of using Mountbatten-Windsor, many of the Royals assume their family's territorial area instead. As Prince Charles' is the Prince of Wales, when his sons Prince William and Prince Harry served in the military, they went by William Wales and Harry Wales.

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice often do the same thing; they go by Eugenie and Beatrice York, as their father, Prince Andrew, is the Duke of York (nope, not the grand old one who had ten thousand men).

What is the surname of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge?

When Kate Middleton married Prince William and became the Duchess of Cambridge, she assumed the Royal surname of Mountbatten-Windsor – making her Catherine Elizabeth Mountbatten-Windsor.

What is the surname of Meghan Markle now she's married Prince Harry?

Meghan Markle assumed the same surname – which (as Meghan is her middle name, and Rachel her first name) making her Rachel Meghan Mountbatten-Windsor.

GALLERY: Ways The Queen is super relatable

1) She still drives herself around

2) She overruled parliament and let cameras film her coronation

3) She's incredibly stylish

4) She loves her family and even apparently carries lucky charms in her bag from her children

5) She's always up for a good laugh

6) She loves her animals

7) She used clothing coupons to pay for her wedding dress, just like other young women during post-war rationing in 1947

8) She had some fun starring with Daniel Craig in a sketch for the London Olympics

9) She loves music and is big fan of George Formby

10) She constantly reassures us



To summarise: the Royal Family's traditional surname is Windsor, but if they ever need one for official purposes, they can use Mountbatten-Windsor. However, most Royal family members tend to assume that everyone will know who they are anyway, so they just go by their title and first name!

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