Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, welcomed their second child and only daughter on May 2, 2015. When it came time to name her, the couple made a deeply personal choice that paid tribute to William’s late mother while protecting their newborn from overwhelming public expectations.
The palace announced the baby’s name as Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Each part carries significant family meaning. “Charlotte” is the feminine form of “Charles,” honoring her grandfather, now King Charles III. It also subtly references her aunt Pippa Middleton’s middle name. “Elizabeth” honors her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who was still reigning at the time, and echoes Kate’s own middle name. The final name, “Diana,” stands as a direct and loving tribute to Princess Diana.
Royal experts noted that William and Kate deliberately chose not to use “Diana” as the first name. Commentator Richard Kay explained the thoughtful reasoning: “Had it been the first name, I think it would have been terrible for the child. There would have been constant comparisons with Diana, and William wouldn’t have wanted that. This way it’s a tribute to his mother and a way of ensuring Diana is always remembered.”
A Promise Kept
The inclusion of “Diana” carried even deeper significance. According to Simone Simmons, a longtime friend of Princess Diana, William had made a heartfelt promise to his mother before her death in 1997. As a boy, he told Diana that when he became king, he would restore her HRH title, which she lost following her divorce from Prince Charles.
By naming his daughter Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Wales—a title she holds for life—William symbolically fulfilled that vow. Through Charlotte, Diana’s royal dignity and legacy live on. Simmons described the naming as “William’s way of honoring his mother’s memory” and ensuring “Diana’s legacy lives on. This way, she will never be forgotten.”
Lasting Impact
The name choice resonated widely. It balanced royal tradition with personal sentiment, allowing Charlotte to grow into her own identity while carrying forward her grandmother’s spirit. Prince Harry later followed a similar path, giving his daughter Lilibet the middle name Diana.
Today, Princess Charlotte continues to embody the grace and strength associated with the women whose names she bears. For William, the decision was more than a naming formality—it was a quiet, enduring promise kept to the mother he lost too soon. In giving his daughter both a title and a name linked to Diana, he ensured that one of the most beloved figures in modern royal history remains an integral part of the family’s future.
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