Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have three of the most recognizable children in Britain: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Yet when they are in an educational setting, they may not always use the names and titles the public knows them by.
There is a fascinating royal tradition behind it.
Why the Wales Children Can Use “Wales”
Members of the British Royal Family do not always need a traditional surname. Their titles and royal status generally identify them without one.
However, there are situations where a surname is useful, including school and other everyday settings.
For William and Catherine’s children, “Wales” can be used as a family surname because their parents hold the titles Prince and Princess of Wales.
That means the children may be referred to as George Wales, Charlotte Wales and Louis Wales in circumstances where a surname is required.
The tradition isn’t new.
Before William became Prince of Wales, he and Catherine were known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. During that period, their children could use “Cambridge” in a similar way.
William himself also used “Wales” while growing up because his father, now King Charles III, was the Prince of Wales.
Prince Harry followed the same tradition.
So despite George’s future position in the royal succession, there are circumstances in which he can simply be known as George Wales.
A More Ordinary Side of Royal Life
Using a surname at school may seem like a small detail, but it highlights an interesting aspect of royal childhood.
Away from official ceremonies, royal children still have ordinary routines.
They attend lessons, complete assignments, spend time with classmates and take part in school activities.
Using a family name can provide a little separation between their public identity and everyday school life.
Of course, privacy is much harder for today’s young royals than it was for previous generations.
William and Harry grew up before smartphones and social media became part of everyday life. George, Charlotte and Louis are growing up in a world where photographs can be shared around the globe within seconds.
That makes maintaining a degree of normality considerably more challenging.
George’s Education Has Attracted Particular Attention
George’s education has received considerable public interest because of his place in the line of succession.
As the eldest child of William and Catherine, he is expected to one day become king.
His schooling therefore attracts more attention than that of an ordinary child.
At the same time, his parents have generally sought to give their children as much privacy and normality as possible.
George’s younger siblings, Charlotte and Louis, have also shared much of their early school experience.
The family’s move to Windsor in 2022 brought another major change. The children began attending Lambrook School, where the three siblings could experience school life together.
As they grow older, however, their educational paths will naturally begin to diverge.
Royal Surnames Have a Long History
The question of royal surnames becomes even more interesting when looking at British history.
For centuries, members of the Royal Family generally weren’t known by conventional surnames in the way most people are.
Titles, first names and royal houses were usually enough to identify them.
In 1917, King George V changed the name of the royal house to Windsor.
Later, in 1960, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip established the surname Mountbatten-Windsor for certain descendants who needed a surname.
The name combines Windsor, representing the royal family, with Mountbatten, Prince Philip’s adopted family name.
However, members of the Royal Family who hold the title of Prince or Princess generally don’t need to use Mountbatten-Windsor in everyday life.
That’s why a name such as “Prince George” is perfectly sufficient in most public situations.
George’s Future Title Isn’t Completely Automatic
There is another interesting detail about George’s future.
When William eventually becomes king, George will become the heir apparent.
However, he would not automatically become the Prince of Wales.
The title Prince of Wales is traditionally given to the heir apparent, but it must be formally granted by the reigning monarch.
So although George is widely expected to eventually hold the title, it isn’t an automatic inheritance.
Other traditional titles associated with the heir to the throne follow different rules and may pass automatically under established arrangements.
Charlotte and Louis Have Their Own Futures
Princess Charlotte also has a potentially significant future within the Royal Family.
She could one day be given the title Princess Royal, although that title is not automatic. It is traditionally granted by the reigning monarch and is currently held by Princess Anne.
Prince Louis, meanwhile, could potentially receive a dukedom or another title in the future, depending on decisions made by the monarch.
For now, however, all three children remain focused on the much more ordinary parts of growing up.
A Small Name With a Bigger Story
The possibility of George, Charlotte and Louis using “Wales” at school may seem like a minor detail.
But it offers a glimpse into the unusual balance they face.
To the public, they are members of one of the world’s most famous families.
At school, however, they can have a much simpler identity.
They can be students, classmates, friends and siblings without needing to introduce themselves by their full royal titles every time.
So if you ever come across the name “George Wales,” there is a fascinating tradition behind it.
It is a reminder that even children born into the British monarchy still have an everyday side to their lives—and sometimes, that everyday side begins with something as simple as a surname.
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