Prince Charles is the oldest and longest-serving heir apparent in British history. The 70-year-old who is due to celebrate his birthday next month is currently second in line to the throne ahead of his eldest son Prince William who is due to reign after him. But will Prince Charles choose to change his name upon his accession to the throne?

Royal fans across the globe are curious about when Prince Charles will become the next King of Great Britain. 

He was given the title of the Prince of Wales aged nine and since that time he has undertaken several official royal duties as a working royal.

In recent years, he has taken on more and more of the Queen’s duties, seen as a means of preparing him to take over from her.

Royal author Phil Damipier claimed earlier this year that the Queen intends to relinquish her powers to her eldest son in two years.

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Speaking to Yahoo’s The Royal Box, Mr Dampier said: “There is talks that when she reaches 95 in a couple of years she may slow down and possibly the Regency Act will be brought in.

“She will still be Queen but Prince Charles will, in fact, take over most of the duties.”

The Queen is said to be holding private meetings with Charles to discuss his future role and teach him all he needs to know about being King.

Mr Dampier added: “He is starting to do that already, being at the state opening in Parliament and the Commonwealth conference.

“He is starting to take over a lot of the duties and doing the investitures.”

The Queen, now 93, has remained very active in discharging her royal duties and is known to have a busy schedule throughout the year. 

However, in the past year, her eldest son and daughter, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, have surpassed the working commitments they have undertaken for the year.

According to a royal source who spoke to the Daily Star, the Queen intends to trigger the Regency Act after her 21st birthday in April 2021.

The Regency Act is a seris of laws which regulated the process of establishing a regency in the event that a monarch is unable to perform their duties.

It requires supporting evidence from at least three people, including Prince Philip, the Chancellor and the Speaker of the House of Commons. 

While Prince Charles would take on the roles usually performed by the sovereign, Prince Philip would become a guardian of the Queen.

The source told The Daily Star: “The changes are starting, and although they are small changes, more will follow. Her Majesty will never resign, though. She will be on the throne to her last breath.

“But with the Regency act and meetings that have taken place recently, when Her Majesty gets to 95 then (the Regency Act 1937) will be brought in through Parliament.”

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Royals have often chosen to change their names when they begin their reign.

For instance, Queen Victoria was born as Alexandrina Victoria, her son King Edward VII was born Albert Edward and Queen Elizabeth II’s father was born Albert but reigned as King George VI.

In 2005, multiple reports surfaced claiming Prince Charles had discussed giving up the title Charles II because of unfortunate associations with previous monarchs named Charles.

Charles I was the only member of the monarchy to be tried and executed for treason.

His son Charles II was a popular king, but was known for having at least 12 illegitimate children by various mistresses, but no children with his wife.

According to the Guardian, Charles has held private talks with “trusted friends” discussing whether to instead invoke one of his middle names as his royal title.

Prince Charles, who was born Charles Philip Arthur George, is said to be most interested in using his third middle name and reigning as King George VII.

former Buckingham Palace press spokesman Dickie Arbiter acknowledged that by using the name George, Charles would be paying tribute to the both his grandparents.

Mr Arbiter told the BBC: “It would not just be a tribute to his grandfather [King George VI], but a sort of loving memory to his late grandmother, whom he absolutely adored.”

However, Clarence House has denied these rumours over the years, saying that no decision has yet been made about royal titles and that they would make that decision at the time it was needed.

Some royal experts however believe that he would maintain his name in his Kingship.

Royal author Penny Juror told Town & Country: “I think it’s very probable that he will be King Charles III. I think there is no good reason why he might not.”

While royal biographer Marcia Moody said that Charles had spent a lifetime championing causes with his name and therefore would want to continue his legacy with that same name.

She added to Town & Country: “Additionally, many of the British public will be devastated at the loss of the queen, and even those who are not monarchists will be coming to terms with the first new head of state in around 70 years, so Charles will want to promote stability and constancy. “

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