At the same time as the public are rejoicing at news of a Royal pregnancy, the bookies – always keen on a fast buck – have issued odds on potential names
At the same time as the public are rejoicing at news of a Royal pregnancy, the bookies – always keen on a fast buck – have issued odds on potential names. What do the bookies think the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will choose?
Ladbrokes place Elizabeth at 8/1 favourite, William Hill put Frances and John at 9/1, and Paddy Power offer Mary, Victoria and John at 8/1.
Some of these are obvious: Victoria, Mary and Elizabeth are the names of Britain’s brightest queens.
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Yet others are head-scratchers. Frances is explicable, however, as the name of the Duke of Cambridge’s other grandmother, Frances Shand Kydd, while John is the name of his grea- grandfather, the 8th Earl Spencer.
Read more: Why are the wealthy less fertile?
Those looking for value may consider the outside punt of George. Placed at 14/1, it is the name that Prince Charles is rumoured to be considering upon succession. And if, as Clarence House insisted in 2005, the speculation turns out to be false, that would leave the solid royal name open for use.
Don’t forget that it’s William’s great-grandfather’s name, the Prince of Wales’s middle name, it’s current as the 13th most popular boys’ name in the UK in 2011 and it’s the name of six former British monarchs which places it third on the all-time list behind Henry and Edward.
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There can be few other names which combine royal tradition and popular culture but don’t echo immediate family. Just look at the other most used names in the UK for evidence: Harry, Oliver, Jack, Alfie and Charlie for the boys and Amelia, Olivia, Lily, Jessica and Emily for the girls are all likely to be ruled out for not meeting the magic criteria.
Read more: What happens if Kate Middleton’s first child is a girl?
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