Real reason Princess Charlotte wasn't named after Princess Diana, according to expert

It's not uncommon for the Royal Family to name their newborn children after members of the monarchy that came before them.

As a result, some royal fans have been left puzzled in recent years over why the Wales' daughter Princess Charlotte wasn't named after her paternal grandmother, the late Princess Diana.

The pattern is seemingly age-old, with the current King being the third to bare his moniker, after his ancestors Charles I and II.

British Royals are often named after previous monarchs. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

We've also had countless King Williams in the past, as well as several Georges on the throne, all of whom the current first and second in line to the throne are likely named after.

And interestingly, this rule doesn't only apply to future monarchs.

After all, despite seemingly barely maintaining ties with his royal relations, Prince Harry famously named his son Archie after Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll of Scotland and ancestor of his late mother, Diana.

He and wife Meghan Markle also named their daughter Lilibet after the late Queen Elizabeth II, Harry's grandmother, who bore the same nickname when in the company of her close family.

Naturally, therefore, many followers of the institution have been left wondering over the years why Prince William and Kate Middleton's daughter Charlotte seemingly evaded a particular moniker when choosing her first name.

Princess Charlotte is the Wales' only daughter. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

The now nine-year-old was born Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana on 2 May 2015.

Despite William choosing to honour his late mother - who passed away following a fatal car crash in August 1997 - by giving his daughter her moniker as a middle name, some were surprised she didn't bare it as her first name.

Apparently, however - according to a close friend of the late Princess of Wales - there's a valid reason why the duo avoided the first name Diana.

Speaking to the Express, royal expert Richard Kay explained: "Had it been the first name, I think it would have been terrible for the child.

"There would have been constant comparisons with Diana, and William wouldn’t have wanted that."

Asked about why they chose to use the name as one of the young royal's middle names, he continued: "This way it’s a tribute to his mother and a way of ensuring Diana is always remembered."

Princess Diana died in 1997. (Bettmann / Contributor)

Another close pal of the late princess - royal expert Simone Simmons - previously told Vanity Fair that Diana would be 'over the moon' with her son and daughter-in-law's choice.

"A way of making sure Diana’s legacy lives on," she explained. "This way she will never be forgotten.

"When Diana was alive, William promised her when he was King [that] Diana would have her HRH restored. This is his way of doing it."