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Britain's Prince of Cambridge's name reportedly isn't meant to be "symbolic".
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge revealed their newborn baby would be called Prince George Alexander Louis on Wednesday, and while the moniker clearly has historical significance, the names are said to have been chosen because they are personal favourites of the royal couple.
A source told Us Weekly, "Don't read into [the names] too much. They are not meant to be symbolic; they are just names the couple like".
Nicholas Witchell, the BBC's royal correspondent, said although George is a tribute to the Queen's father, King George VI ? whose real name was Albert ? the couple genuinely like the name themselves.
The Prince of Cambridge's middle name, Louis ? which is also his father, Prince William's, fourth name ? is likely to be a nod to Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Duke of Edinburgh' uncle, whom Prince Charles was especially fond of.
Alexander also has royal connections since Queen Elizabeth's middle name is Alexandra, and three medieval Scottish kings have shared the moniker.
Royal children are traditionally given historical names which are passed down through generations, but Prince George will have the option of choosing an alternative name when he takes the throne. If the new heir chooses to keep it, he would become King George VII.
The BBC's Peter Hunt also pointed out the tradition could be dying out, with the number of middle names diminishing over time. He tweeted, "Royal names are diminishing. Edward VIII had 7, Prince Charles has 4, Prince William 4, Prince George 3. #princegeorge"
-Bang Showbiz
