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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Danielle Kate Wroe

Prince Charles has become King Charles III - but he could've chosen different title

Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, The Duke of Cornwall, will be grieving after his mother, the Queen, died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday. Major changes have been sparked in the Royal Family, with Charles officially stepping up as monarch. The Palace have confirmed that the new King will be known as Charles III, following the death of the Queen.

Sources previously suggested that Prince Charles could be known as King George, rather than Charles, to avoid bad luck, after the fate of the previous two King Charles' but he has chosen to go by Charles III despite this.

For the latest updates as the world mourns the Queen and King Charles III's reign begins, follow our live blog.

King Charles III (REUTERS)

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King Charles I was overthrown by Oliver Cromwell in the English Civil War. His son Charles II was extremely popular but ultimately failed to have a legitimate heir to the throne during his reign. During the reign of Charles II, he faced the Great Fire of London and the plague.

As an alternative, Charles was told by experts he could go by one of his many middle names - with George being the most likely in honour of his beloved grandfather, King George VI.

Speaking to Studio 10, former royal butler Grant Harrold explained: "Normally royal children have two or three names.

"The reason is, if possibly that child was to become a King or Queen, they have to have a kind of pool to choose from. For example, Prince Charles, if and when he becomes King, would be - people assume he would be Charles III.

Charles could have chosen to go by one of his middle names (Getty Images)

"But he could technically be George VII because George is in his name."

When the Queen's father died in 1952, she was asked which name she wanted to use as sovereign and she famously responded: "My own, of course."

She opted to keep her given name simply because she liked it and only a number differentiated her from the first Queen Elizabeth.

Royal experts Christina Garibaldi and Christine Ross spoke about royals changing their names when they become Kings or Queens on the Royally US podcast: "Charles could change his name when he becomes King.

"So when the sovereign ascends the throne, they can choose a regnal name. Historically, you do tend to take the new name.

"Interestingly, both Elizabeths and Queen Victoria did not. They were known by those names and they kind of kept those.

Both Elizabeths and Queen Victoria kept their names and Charles has chosen to do the same (Getty Images)

"So Prince Charles could become King Charles the third, or he could be King Phillip, King Arthur, or King George because historically they can use any of their given names and those are his middle names."

"I wonder what he'll do. I feel like we're so used to calling him Prince Charles, it's just been natural for us to call him King Charles."

Of course, King Charles chose to stick with his given name, much like his mother did.

After Charles became King following his mother's death, he released the following statement: "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother."

There will now be a period of mourning to mark the passing of the Queen.

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