Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis may be members of the British royal family, but they do not use their royal titles in the classroom. Instead, the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales are known at school by their first names, and when a surname is required, they use 'Wales'.
The practice is part of a long-standing tradition within the British royal family. Rather than using titles such as Prince or Princess in everyday school settings, George, Charlotte and Louis have a more informal form of identification that reflects their family connection to the Prince of Wales.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have all attended Lambrook School. George moved to Eton College in September 2026, while Charlotte and Louis continue their education at Lambrook.
Why the Children Use 'Wales' at School
George, Charlotte and Louis were born with royal titles and the styles of His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness. However, those titles are not normally used when they are at school.
When a surname is needed, the siblings use 'Wales', taken from their parents' titles. Their father, Prince William, is the Prince of Wales, while Catherine is the Princess of Wales. This means the children can be referred to as George Wales, Charlotte Wales and Louis Wales in situations where a surname is required.
The practice is not unique to William and Catherine's children. Prince William himself was known as William Wales during his school years, while his brother, Prince Harry, was similarly known as Harry Wales. At the time, their father, King Charles, was the Prince of Wales.
Using a parent's title as a surname has therefore been part of the way members of the royal family have been identified in schools and other settings where a conventional surname is required.
Their Surname Previously Changed From Cambridge
George, Charlotte and Louis did not always use 'Wales' as their school surname.
When Prince William and Catherine were known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their children could use 'Cambridge' as a surname. Prince George, for example, was identified as George Cambridge when he began school at Thomas's Battersea in London in 2017.
The change to 'Wales' followed the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. King Charles became monarch, while William became the Prince of Wales, the title previously held by his father. As a result, the children's informal family surname changed from Cambridge to Wales.
The transition reflects how surnames can work differently within the British royal family. Although the family has an official surname, royal titles and the names of royal houses or titles have traditionally been used in different circumstances.
Royal Titles Remain Part of Their Official Names
Not using their royal titles at school does not mean George, Charlotte and Louis have lost or given up those titles. George remains Prince George of Wales and is second in line to the British throne. The Royal Family's official website identifies him as the first child of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis also retain their royal titles.
The distinction is between their formal royal status and the way they are addressed in everyday settings such as school. Their titles remain part of their official identities, while 'Wales' provides a practical surname when one is needed.
A Tradition Shared by Other Royals
The use of a title-derived surname has appeared elsewhere in the royal family. Prince William and Prince Harry were known as Wales while attending school and later during their military careers because their father was then the Prince of Wales. Other members of the family have similarly used surnames connected to their parents' titles.
The practice also explains why the surname used by royal children can change when their parents receive new titles. For George, Charlotte and Louis, the move from Cambridge to Wales followed a major change in the royal family's structure after the accession of King Charles III.
Prince George Has Now Moved to Eton
The use of 'Wales' comes as Prince George prepares for another major change in his education. In June 2026, Kensington Palace confirmed that George would attend Eton College from September. He is following a path previously taken by his father, Prince William, who was also educated at the Berkshire school. George's move to Eton marks the next stage of his education as he continues to grow up in the public eye while remaining a working member of the royal family's next generation.
For now, however, the basic approach to names at school remains straightforward. Despite being Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in their official royal roles, the three children can be known simply as George, Charlotte and Louis among their teachers and classmates, with 'Wales' used as their surname when necessary.
The arrangement reflects an established royal naming tradition rather than a formal removal of their titles. Their royal status remains unchanged, even when those titles are not used in the classroom.
