Introduction
It's no secret that the British royal family is steeped in tradition and history. From their lavish ceremonies and grand palaces to their intricate family trees and centuries-old customs, the royals are a source of fascination for people around the world. But one aspect of their lineage that often causes confusion and debate is their last name. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Prince William's last name and the history behind it.What is Prince William's Last Name?
The short answer is that Prince William's last name is Windsor. However, the issue is a bit more complicated than that. The royal family's last name has changed several times over the years, and different members of the family use different surnames depending on their titles and positions.The History of the Royal Family's Last Name
Before 1917, the British royal family didn't have a last name as we know it today. Instead, they used the name of the house or dynasty they belonged to. For example, Queen Victoria belonged to the House of Hanover, so her descendants were known as members of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. However, during World War I, anti-German sentiment in Britain led King George V to change the royal family's last name to Windsor, after the name of their residence at Windsor Castle. From that point on, members of the family who weren't entitled to a specific title or surname would use the name Windsor.Prince Philip's Last Name
One exception to this rule was Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. When he married the Queen in 1947, he was given the title of Duke of Edinburgh, and his last name was listed as Mountbatten-Windsor. The Mountbatten part of his surname comes from his own family, the House of Battenberg, which changed its name to Mountbatten during World War I. However, the decision to hyphenate his name with Windsor was somewhat controversial at the time, as some members of the royal family felt that it diluted the Windsor name.Prince William's Children
Prince William's children also have a different last name than him. When Prince George was born in 2013, his last name was listed as Cambridge, as his parents are known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Similarly, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis also use the last name Cambridge.Question and Answer
Q: Does Prince William use the last name Windsor or Cambridge?A: Prince William uses the last name Windsor in most official contexts. However, his children use the last name Cambridge, as their parents are known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.