Why is Prince William's last name Wales?

Question

Why isn't it Windsor?

Answer 1

Thats just his Title, HRH Prince William of wales

His last name is Windsor

(Just to add.. Prince William Arthur Philip Louis (Mountbatten) Windsor )

Answer 2

B.E.C is right

Answer 3

Prince William's last name isn't Wales, it's Windsor. His title isn't Wales either. His father is the Prince of Wales and when/if his father becomes King he will inherit the title.

Answer 4

Technically, as heir-apparent to the throne, William doesn't have a last name.  He chooses to use Wales, his father's title, as a last name because he needs one in the military.

Royal family members who are not in direct line to the throne should bear the name Windsor (though I believe Prince Harry also uses Wales), while those who aren't Princes/Princesses bear the name Mountbatten-Windsor.

Answer 5

William's last name is not Wales.

William Arthur Philip Louis is indeed of The House of Windsor.

He takes the house of his father, which in turn is the house of his grandmother Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth.

Answer 6

Royals use ROYAL HOUSE NAMES. William,since he is the son of the Prince of Wales,and a direct heir to the throne,is of The Royal House of Windsor.But,since his father is TITLED Prince of WALES,William is known as "Wales;" this is just a way for people to DIFFERENTIATE the family branches. All titled royals can use their title names to identify their family unit: Prince Andrew,Duke of YORK and his family are often called the Yorks,after his title.Prince Edward,Earl of Wessex and family can be called the Wessexes,but his two children are not royal prince or royal princess,but a viscount and a lady who use Windsor.

All non-titled,non-royal members of Elizabeth II's family,that need a surname may use Mountbatten-WIndsor.

http://www.royal.gov/uk/output/Page5657....

has the really long explanation,but here is the pertinent quote:

"The Royal Family name of Windsor was confirmed by The Queen after her accession in 1952. However, in 1960, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh decided that they would like their own direct descendants to be distinguished from the rest of the Royal Family (without changing the name of the Royal House), as Windsor is the surname used by all the male and unmarried female descendants of George V.

It was therefore declared in the Privy Council that The Queen's descendants, other than those with the style of Royal Highness and the title of Prince/Princess, or female descendants who marry, would carry the name of Mountbatten-Windsor. "

And William is NOT The Prince of Wales;his father is.Only the heir apparent can be the Prince of Wales. William is Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales and The Royal House of Windsor.

Answer 7

He gets it from his dad

Answer 8

He is The Prince  of Wales ... that's not his actual name

Answer 9

It is, Wales is part of his title as in William Prince of Wales

Answer 10

It is Windsor, except he is well known for his title as prince of Wales.

Answer 11

As the other writers here  have said he uses Wales to just make it look a more normal name when he went to school  william wales gives some anonymity    rather HRH Prince William ect  looking less formal when above the school peg for coats.................... and lables for laundry I recall the photo when he went to nursery and that had willam wales above the place to hang coat and bag......

Answer 12

William doesn't have any last name right now and he won't until he is confirmed as next in line to the Throne.

Charles only took a last name a few years ago and he's 50 now.

Answer 13

It's  correct, Prince  William's  last  name  is  Mountbatten-Windsor.  When  his  dad  becomes  king,  Prince  of  Wales   will  be just of  the  titles  William  will  inherit.  A  title  he'll  have   is   Duchy  of  Cornwall.  William  will  be  investured  as  Prince  of  Wales  at Carnarvon Castle  in  Wales.   For  centuries,  the  heir  to  the  throne   has  received  the  title  at the  12th century  castle.