Sarah Ferguson had her heart set on naming her daughter Annabel in 1988, but the Queen wasn’t sold on the choice and suggested Beatrice instead
Jane Lavender and Zahra Mulroy
07:00, 26 Mar 2026
Princess Beatrice had to change her name as a baby(Image: PA)
Whenever a royal baby arrives, the announcement of their name becomes a highly anticipated event, with months of public speculation and betting predictions building to a crescendo.
The delay occurs because an “informal discussion” takes place between the new parents and the Queen, during which she approves their chosen name…
Or, on occasion, doesn’t.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s names were both revealed two days following their births, whilst Prince Louis’ name was made public a full four days afterwards.
However, by royal family standards, four days represents a relatively brief period.
In August 1988, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson welcomed their first child – a daughter now recognised as Princess Beatrice.
Andrew and Fergie took a fortnight to officially announce her name, reportedly because the Queen had reservations about their initial preference, according to The Sun at the time and subsequently reported by 9Honey.
The Duchess had been keen on calling her daughter Princess Annabel, but Her Majesty’s response, apparently, was that the name seemed too “yuppie”.
Yet it appears that whilst the Queen rejected one option, she offered an alternative – she proposed Beatrice, thought to have been inspired by Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, and the decision was made.
Beatrice’s complete name is Beatrice Elizabeth Mary, with her middle names honouring her grandmother and great-grandmother.