Royal fans might not remember this historical event back in 1988, but Princess Beatrice went almost two weeks without a name. 

TheDaily Mailrevisited this moment when the public waited 11 days with bated breath to hear what Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew named their eldest daughter. According to the media outlet, names like Annabel, Charlotte, and Victoria were the top contenders — Beatrice wasn’t in the mix for anyone except for The Sun. They were the only ones who correctly predicted her eventual name. 

In case you didn’t know, Queen Elizabeth has the final say when it comes to royal names, and she didn’t like the family’s first choice: Annabel. At the time, the monarch thought it sounded too “yuppie.” If you aren’t familiar with the ’80s term, it was a nickname for a “young, urban professional,” but it was often used in a derogatory way in that era, per Investopedia, which noted that yuppies “were considered arrogant, undeservedly wealthy, and obnoxious.”

With Annabel off the list, it was Elizabeth who decided that Beatrice was the perfect name because it is tied to Queen Victoria’s youngest child. The name translates to “blesses” in American baby name meanings. Sweetly, the name was suggested while the royal family was enjoying their summer holiday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The final decision on the name was agreed upon by everyone, including Ferguson, but there were a few people who were shocked. 

The Daily Mail shared that “not a single bet was placed on the name Beatrice at two of the largest bookmakers at the time”— never bet against the palace! Beatrice was also able to honor her grandmother in July 2020 when her pandemic-era wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi featured Queen Elizabeth’s tiara from her 1947 ceremony to Prince Philip. 

“The Queen saved this grand tiara specifically for Beatrice. It was always reserved for her as they are exceptionally close,” a royal insider shared with People while noting that it was “arguably the most sentimental [piece] lent from the Queen yet.”

It was a tender moment between granddaughter and grandmother because it was the last family wedding she attended before her passing in 2022.

Before you go, click here to see our favorite of Queen Elizabeth’s fashion moments!

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