Expert: Mark Smith - 12/13/2006

Question
In the last 150 years why are so many male members of the British Royal Family called "Arthur"?

Answer
Hello Mary.
The name Arthur was first used in 1486 for the eldest son of Henry VII, it was chosen because it was the name of England's greatest mythological hero, King Arthur. It hasn't been used that often really. Only one Prince has since been christened with Arthur as his first name; Arthur Duke of Connaught, Queen Victoria's third son. The only other sons of the monarch to have Arthur as one of the Christian names have been King George VI and of course Prince Charles. It has been used for Royal grandsons however.
Interestingly it was used as the names for two Scottish Princes in the 16th century; the sons of James IV and James V, both died in infancy.
Mark