Princess Beatrice could have been called something completely different. Indeed, when Sarah Ferguson and Andrew of York were preparing to welcome their first daughter into their lives, they had to face a little unforeseen problem. The former couple wanted to name their eldest child Annabel. Unfortunately, Elizabeth II was not a fan of the name and vetoed it.
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The Queen has the final say
In keeping with royal tradition, the Queen of England was one of the first to be informed of the choice, long before the young parents officially announced it to the world. According to reports, an 'informal discussion' took place between Andrew of York and his mother in which the Queen was to give her blessing.
However, when she learned that her granddaughter was to be called Annabel, she directly expressed her disagreement. It was only two weeks after the birth of the baby, on 8 August 1988, that the name was revealed to the public. In order to comply with Elizabeth II's requirements, Beatrice was chosen, in particular as a tribute to the royal family and especially to Queen Victoria's youngest daughter.
A baby on the way
Thirty-two years later, Princess Eugenie's sister is pregnant with her first baby. The baby, the fruit of her love for her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, is due to be born this autumn. For the time being, no information has been revealed about the sex of the child and even less about the name the couple might choose.
However, it is possible to imagine that the Queen of England will add her two cents to ensure that English royalty is honoured.