18 December 2023 , 14:54
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A great deal of thought goes into choosing a baby's name - especially when that baby is a member of the royal family. And one princess has a very special moniker on account of her birth.
The Christmas of 1936 was a time of great change for Britain. Following his brother Edward VIII's decision to abdicate the throne, George V became King on 11 December. The abdication came as a huge surprise to the nation and to George himself, who was just days into his new reign.
But on Christmas Day came happy news from the palace, a new baby girl had been born. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent gave birth to her second child, a princess - the first new royal of the new reign. And her middle name was chosen to mark the special day on which she was born.
Princess Marina (1906 - 1968) holds the hand of her son Prince Edward while a nanny carries Princess Alexandra, the Duchess's baby daughter (Getty Images)
Princess Anne named her only daughter Zara Anne Elizabeth (PA)The newborn was named Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel - with the latter largely chosen to honour her birthday. Christabel, a Latin feminine name that means "beautiful Christian", is certainly an unusual name, but Alexandra wasn't the first royal to be given it.
Her parents were seemingly inspired by her aunt by marriage, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. She was born Lady Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott - also on 25 December in 1901. She passed away on 9 October 2004 at the grand old age of 102.
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In more recent history, other royal family members have chosen unique names for their children. Princess Anne named her daughter Zara, meaning 'flower' or 'princess', and it was her uncle, King Charles, who helped choose it. "The baby made a rather sudden and positive arrival," Princess Anne reportedly said, "And my brother thought Zara was an appropriate name."
Similarly, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew opted for a less-common name for their second child. When they welcomed another daughter in 1990, no one expected them to name her Eugenie. Though this had been the name of one of Queen Victoria's granddaughters, the moniker had largely fallen out of fashion.
The name of Eugenie's older sister Beatrice also came as a surprise to royal fans. An unexpected choice, it was not announced until almost two weeks after her birth; Beatrice Elizabeth Mary was named after the youngest of Queen Victoria's children.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (Dave Benett/Getty Images)It was widely believed that the late Queen would have to give her blessing to a royal baby's name before it was announced. And, per royal protocol, members of the family did typically share the name they have chosen for their child with the monarch before announcing it.
However, that didn't mean she had to approve the name, as it was mostly an "informal conversation," according to royal commentator Kate Williams. But, if the Queen did disapprove of the name for any reason, it is likely that the name was changed.
"Of course, they have such respect for the Queen that if she says 'I really don't like that name,' they'd definitely take that into account," Williams previously said.
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