Stories behind Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's names - Moniker ‘rejected’ by Queen Elizabeth and pronunciation confusion
The two sisters boast beautiful names
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have beautiful yet unique names, and both have stories behind them.
In fact, Princess Beatrice wasn’t always meant to be called Beatrice.
Apparently, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew were set on a different name for their first born but Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t convinced.
Princess Beatrice nearly had a very different name
As is customary, Sarah and Andrew reportedly sat down with Queen Elizabeth and had an “informal chat” where they mentioned what they planned to name their first daughter.
It was here that they revealed a name that Queen Elizabeth wasn’t impressed by.
Apparently, Queen Elizabeth was so unconvinced, she had an alternative to suggest.
Born in 1988, a year where the most popular name for girls was reportedly Jessica, Sarah and Andrew wished to call their new arrival Princess Annabel.
Sarah Ferguson was said to have had her heart set on the name.
Queen Elizabeth ‘wasn’t impressed’ by Fergie and Andrew’s choice
Unfortunately for her, Queen Elizabeth allegedly thought the name was too “too yuppie,” according to The Sun.
According to Hello, the monarch “does not have to approve royal baby names”.
However, Queen Elizabeth “was often informed or consulted of any proposed names before being officially announced”.
Meanwhile, bets were already been placed over what Beatrice’s name would be, with many chattering about Annabel, especially as Andrew was quoted at the time stating their bundle of joy would bear the name.
Bets on Princess Beatrice’s name
Elsewhere, other hopefuls were sure Charlotte, Victoria and Elizabeth would be in the running.
Of course, we now know Fergie and Andrew threw a bit of curve ball with the use of the name Beatrice.
Not a single bet was placed on the name Beatrice at two of the largest bookmakers at the time, according to reports.
The Press Association quoted a William Hill bookmakers exclaiming at the news: “It’s terrific. We couldn’t have chosen a better name.”
A Coral bookmaker was quoted to have said: “It is a bit of a surprise for everybody. Victoria and Elizabeth were the two favourites.”
Only The Sun predicted Beatrice as the name of the new princess, but no direct quotes were given describing why the queen wasn’t impressed by Annabel.
Beatrice was chosen as it was said to be royal enough for the queen but unusual enough for Fergie.
Queen Victoria’s youngest child boasted the name, which derives from the latin for “one who brings joy”.
Princess Eugenie’s name poses some confusion
Princess Eugenie’s name also has a back story. According to reports, Eugenie was named after a historic royal.
Princess Eugenie of York was born on March 30, 1990, at Portland Hospital in London.
She was reportedly named after Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and later Queen of Spain.
Eugenie also boasts the middle names Victoria and Helena.
According to William Hill, thousands of bets were placed on what Andrew and Sarah’s second baby would be called – none of which cited Eugenie.
People have been known to refer to the princess as “YOO-jee-nee” or “YOO-junny”.
Some even pronounce her name, which means noble or well-born, as the name’s male counterpart, Eugene (“Yoo-JEEN”).
In a 2008 interview with The Telegraph, it was reported that Eugenie was pronounced “YOO-juh-nee,” with an emphasis on “Yoo”.
Although, the princess has insisted she accepts however her name is pronounced.
Eugenie told the publication: “Whenever we used to meet foreign people who were struggling with it, my mum and I would help them by saying, ‘It’s like Use Your Knees.’
“But whatever. I am now used to every pronunciation.”
The royal also said that two nicknames have been born out of her name, given by her friends. They prefer to call her “Youj” or “Bouj”.
Many royals bear a family name
Princess Beatrice’s full name is Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary.
Both Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s daughters, Sienna and Athena, share Elizabeth as their middle name, in tribute to their great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Princess Anne also has the middle name Elizabeth, as do several of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Princess Charlotte, Zara Tindall, Lena Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and Isla Phillips all share the family name in tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.
How sweet!
Read more: Kate Middleton ‘feeling empowered’ with new ‘blonde’ hair at Balmoral
What do you think of this story? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page.
