When Marie Claire reported in April that Prince Charles might not choose to become Charles III when he one day ascends to the throne, we did not offer the name he might choose instead. Queen Elizabeth was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, but her father was born Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, known as "Bertie." (Monarchs are said to be able to choose a regal name from their own names, and royals tend to choose from at least three names.)

Nevertheless, the "Express" reported that when Prince Charles (whose full name is Charles Philip Arthur George) becomes king, he may be known as King George VII.

"There have been two previous kings with the name Charles, but they had very questionable reputations, so the heir to the throne might hesitate to use his name when he becomes king," the magazine reported.

A brief history lesson: Charles I is best known for his overthrow by Oliver Cromwell after Parliament's victory over the Crown in the English Civil War of 1645. He also believed strongly in the divine right of kings." That is, he was appointed by God and was not answerable to Parliament," the Express reported. He was tried for treason, found guilty, and beheaded in 1649. Terrible. Also, for 11 years, from 1649 to 1660, Oliver Cromwell ruled, followed by his son Richard, making it the only period in England's history without a monarch.

Then in 1660, Charles I's son, Charles II, returned from exile and the monarchy was restored. But this Charles was not without his sexual proclivities. His controversial private life included multiple mistresses, and there are clear comparisons between King Charles II and the modern-day Prince Charles.

"Prince Charles could use his own name and become Charles III, but it is thought he may want to avoid the negative connotations from the two previous Charles princes," the Express reported.

"The prince will also be succeeding the longest reigning monarch in British history, so he may want to avoid any negative connotations.

It is not only Prince Charles' grandfather, King George VI, who has chosen to do this. Queen Victoria, one of Britain's most famous monarchs, was born Princess Alexandrina Victoria, but Alexandrina chose to use her middle name when she was crowned in 1837 because she thought it sounded too foreign for a British queen.

When King George VI ascended the throne in 1936, he took the name George following his brother's scandalous abdication, a reference to the reign of his father King George V, which lasted from 1910 to 1936. George VI died in 1952 at the age of only 56 and is generally remembered fondly to this day.

"Given that George VI's legacy is generally remembered fondly, Prince Charles may decide to call himself George VII," the Express reported.

Also, since Prince George just turned nine last week and is currently third in line to the throne, George VIII would not be far behind, assuming he uses his own first name.