Queen 'vetoed' Princess Beatrice's original name at birth

It’s usual for royals to wait a couple of days before announcing their baby’s name, but it took nearly two weeks for the Duke and Duchess of York to confirm their choice with eldest daughter Princess Beatrice.

A report from Associated Press at the time in August 1988, said that Annabel had been the favourite amongst bookmakers, after Prince Andrew had been quoted saying that that would be the name if they had a girl.

But The Sun reported that the Queen, who must approve royal baby names, vetoed the name as she thought it was too “yuppie.”

Princess Annabel

It is a Latin/French name which means grace and beauty, but it’s also the name of a Mayfair club, which the royals are often spotted at.

This may have caused the delay in Andrew and Sarah announcing their baby’s name, as they thought of an alternative to Annabel.

Victoria, Elizabeth and Charlotte were also amongst the frontrunners, but it’s thought that Her Majesty suggested Beatrice, after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s youngest child.

The Sun reported at the time, that the name was royal enough for the queen but unusual enough to please Sarah.

The bookies however, didn’t see it coming and it came as a surprise to everybody when the name was finally announced.

All grown up

Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary will celebrate her 31st birthday on August 4.

Born in 1988 at The Portland Hospital in London, she is currently ninth in line to the throne. Her younger sister Princess Eugenie was born in 1990.

Beatrice works full-time in business and splits her time between London and New York.

She is currently dating property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and according to reports, he has moved in with the royal at St James’s Palace.

Words by Danielle Stacey

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