Amidst Cancer Battle King Charles and Kate Middleton have faced disappointing news as their popularity has waned, following a year of significant challenges for the monarchy.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the latest annual data on the most popular baby names in England and Wales for 2022 indicates a shift in royal-inspired naming trends.
The royal family continues to influence parents’ choices, with names of royal members still appearing in the top 100 for both boys and girls.
However, it’s been a tough year, with King Charles undergoing cancer treatment and Princess Kate receiving chemotherapy. This personal adversity seems to have impacted their public perception.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan recently returned to California after a trip to Nigeria aimed at strengthening ties within the Invictus Games international community.
Their names, along with those of their children, have also experienced changes in popularity. For instance, Archie, the name of Harry’s son, dropped to 11th place, and Harry himself fell to 15th.
The nickname Charlie, a variation of Charles, ranks as the 16th most popular boys’ name. William dropped to 24th, and Edward fell to 31st.
However, Louis, the name of William and Kate’s youngest child, rose to 49th, while Charlotte maintained its position as the 25th most popular girls’ name.
The ONS data reflects names from 2022, but BabyCentre’s mid-year report for 2023 also highlights some shifts.
George remains a popular royal boys’ name, ranking ninth, followed by Henry, Archie, Harry, Louis, and William. For girls, Charlotte ranks 25th, while Catherine, Megan, and Beatrice did not make the top 100.
Adding to the royal family’s concerns, Kate Middleton has been at the center of a photo controversy.
The curator of a new exhibition at Buckingham Palace defended the retouching of royal photos, describing it as “part of the creative process.”
Alessandro Nasini, the curator of the exhibition celebrating 100 years of royal photographs, emphasized that many of the photos on display have been retouched, a practice deemed essential in royal portrait photography.
Nasini’s comments come two months after six major picture agencies issued “kill notices” to withdraw a photograph of the Princess of Wales with her children for Mother’s Day, following public backlash over perceived over-editing.
This incident, combined with the recent dip in popularity, underscores the complex and evolving relationship between the royal family and the public.
Despite these challenges, royal names such as Elizabeth, Zara, Sophie, Mia, Charlotte, and Sienna remain popular for girls, reflecting the enduring influence of the monarchy.
However, the name Charles fell out of the top 100 for boys, marking a significant shift in public sentiment.
As the royal family navigates these turbulent times, their impact on popular culture and naming trends continues to be closely watched.
