LONDON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Britain's Prince Charles has rejected the title Charles III when he becomes King and will instead become George VII in honor of his grandfather.
"The name Charles is tinged with so much sadness," sources close to the prince told Saturday's Times of London.
Another source told the newspaper, "They (the royal family) will decide at the time, but he has talked about George."
The name King Charles is unpopular in some circles because Charles I was executed in 1649 -- the only monarch to suffer such a fate -- Charles II was a disrespected womanizer and sensitivity remains about Bonnie Prince Charlie, known by some as Charles III, a Scottish romantic figure even though the so-called "young pretender" was defeated in battle in 1746, the Times said.
The Prince of Wales was christened Charles Philip Arthur George. Queen Victoria was the first royal to switch to a formal title in 1837. She was born Alexandrina, the Times noted.
As for the prince's wife, Camilla Parker Bowles became the Duchess of Cornwall after they married and Clarence House said at the time she would be known as Princess Consort whenever Charles takes the throne.
