Prince William & Kate's Last Name: Mountbatten-Windsor

Prince William & Kate's Last Name: Mountbatten-Windsor

Now that Prince William and Kate Middleton are married, some are wondering their last name.


Like other descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, William's surname is Mountbatten-Windsor, and it will be Kate's too by marriage.


As explained by the official British royal website, the Queen's descendants carry the name Mountbatten, as well as the royal surname Windsor, to reflect her husband Prince Philip's surname.


The royal website explains further that the surnames are not always used, only when they are formally needed, such as the case of marriage.


While Prince William will be recorded as a Mountbatten-Windsor in the marriage registry today, he may choose a new name at a later point, specifically if and when he becomes king. As explained here, "Since a royal proclamation is not binding on succeeding rulers, King William could decide to add a name or two."


Prince William and Kate, who will go by the name of Catherine, also inherited the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge upon their marriage today.
source: special

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Famous May birthdays

Famous May birthdays

Famous May birthdays
A country singer, Oscar winner, all-star athlete and groundbreaking politician are just a few of the famous folks who were born in May. To celebrate, we’re revealing some fun facts about them.

Tim McGraw
The multitalented entertainer has a decades-long music career as well as a promising acting career.

This Oscar-nominated director is known for his quirky directing skill and his working partnership with an eccentric actor.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
The wrestler-turned-movie star is returning to the ring after a seven-year absence.

This Italian fashion designer has outfitted celebrities for decades, and was parodied by Maya Rudolph on “Saturday Night Live”.

Christina Hendricks
The “Mad Men” star is famous for her attention-getting curves.

This inventor and pitchman used his company to introduce the world to the Pocket Fisherman, Mr. Microphone and the Showtime Rotisserie.

Erin Andrews
The sideline reporter and “Dancing With the Stars” contestant dealt with a scary situation in 2009.

This ailing former Egyptian president was ousted by a revolution and is facing corruption charges. Read the latest news on his condition.

Adele
The British soul singer is making a big splash across the pond with her latest album. Watch her music videos.

This NBC news anchor is becoming as well known for his cameos on an NBC sitcom and late-night TV bits as he is for his reporting.

George Clooney
The perennial bachelor got his start on a long-running TV drama and went on to win an Oscar for his role in this movie.

This major league slugger with a funny nickname still holds fourth place on an impressive list. His controversial godson holds the top spot.

Shawn Marion
The NBA All-Star shoots for the Dallas Mavericks but started out his career with the Phoenix Suns.

This stand-up comedian starred in a pot-centered documentary and hosts a movie-themed podcast.

Don Rickles
“Mr. Warmth” has been insulting audiences for more than 60 years but took on a more kid-friendly role in a beloved movie franchise .

This Latin singer inherited his musical genes from his crooner dad. See who his famous girlfriend is.

Rosario Dawson
The New York actress made her big-screen debut in a controversial 1995 movie and went on to co-star with Denzel Washington in an action thriller. Next up? A Kevin James comedy.

The musician known as the “Piano Man” is turning 62 and has a daughter who is following in his footsteps.

Bono
The U2 front man has become one of the world’s most famous philanthropists.

This “Saturday Night Live” cast member got his start on a Nickelodeon sketch show.

Louis Farrakhan
The controversial Nation of Islam leader is turning 78. What is his birth name?

This actor – who plays a teen heartthrob on “Glee” – got caught up in a photo shoot controversy last year.

Tony Hawk
The professional skateboarder landed the first-ever 900 in competition and went on to build a hugely successful video-game empire.

This actor grabbed audiences’ attention in a cult hitand melted viewers’ hearts when he gave away his Golden Globe.

Robert Pattinson
The “Twilight” star tries to keep his real-life relationship with his co-star under wraps.

This late-night host uses his parody news show to skewer everyone from Bill O’Reilly to the president. Watch him testify before Congress.

Cate Blanchett
The Oscar-winning actress is known for her fashion sense as well as her talent.

This popular director has never won an Oscar despite his success at the box office. Read his bio.

Madeleine Albright
The first female secretary of state was known for her pin collection.

This former star NFL running back put his athletic skills to use to win “Dancing With the Stars.”

Janet Jackson
The pop icon from a legendary family once stirred up controversy with her Super Bowl performance.

This bombshell actress get her big break in “Transformers” and has a big comedy coming out next year.

Craig Ferguson
The late-night talk show host was born in Glasgow, Scotland.

This Nine Inch Nails front man surprised lots of fans when he won an Academy Award.

Chow Yun-fat
The Hong Kong action star broke through in Hollywood with roles in “Anna and the King” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

This Indy Car champion was born in Bathgate, Scotland, and is married to a Hollywood actress.

Nora Ephron
The Oscar-nominated writer-director is known for her romantic comedies.

This PBS newsman has a side job as a presidential debate moderator.

Cher
The Oscar-winning actress-singer starred in a Golden Globe-nominated movie last year.

This U.S. senator’s wife posed for a controversial ad.

Mr. T
We pity the fool who doesn’t love the star of “The A-Team.” He even had his own cereal!

This Minnesota senator transitioned from a sketch-comedy career to become a major player in Congress.

Apolo Anton Ohno
The Olympic gold medal speed skater traded in his skates for dancing shoes to win a reality competition show.

This British supermodel is famous for several “incidents” and was even connected to controversial stones.

Drew Carey
The former sitcom star took over for this longtime host as the face of “The Price Is Right” in 2007.

This singer is expecting her first baby with her cowboy husband.

Bob Dylan
The singer-songwriter with a trademark voice is celebrating his 70th birthday.

This iconic soul singer has been entertaining audiences since the 1960s.

Sir Ian McKellen
The star of the “X-Men” films and the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is working on a highly anticipated prequel.

The star of “Hung” and ex-girlfriend of a popular talk-show host got her start in daytime soap operas.

Jack Kevorkian
The man known as “Dr. Death” was released from prison in 2007.

This funky rocker has a keen fashion sense and plays a mean guitar.

Louis Gossett Jr.
The Oscar-winning star of “Officer and a Gentleman” and the “Iron Eagle” franchise returned to the big screen last year.

This former secretary of state won a Nobel Peace Prize with this leader.

Carey Mulligan
The British actress has been nominated for an Oscar and gone through a public breakup.

This soul singer has been performing with her backup band since the 1960s.

Melissa Etheridge
The “Come to My Window” rocker battled a health set back before going through an ugly breakup with her actress wife last year.

This New York Knicks star won an NCAA championship at this university. Watch his recent late-night cameo.

Wynonna Judd
The country music star has a new reality show with her mom.

This hip-hop superstar sang with an Oscar winner and will be a judge for a new singing competition.

Clint Eastwood
The Oscar-winning actor-director – who turns 81 – is working on his next big movie.

This longtime actress got her start as a teenage jeans model and had a highly publicized feud with an A-list actor.

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Famous adoptions

Famous adoptions

Famous adoptions
Actress Mariska Hargitay's recent adoption news has put celebrity adoption stories back in the headlines. From Brad and Angelina to America's Sweetheart, check out the many celebrities who have heeded the call.

Mariska Hargitay
"Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay happily announced the arrival of a bouncing baby girl this month, whom she and husband Peter Hermann adopted domestically.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
The Hollywood superstars have six children, three of whom are adopted: Shiloh, Maddox and Pax. Are they planning on adding to their brood? The kids get to see a lot of the world because their parents are often on set in far-flung locations – Jolie is now directing her first movie in an unlikely place.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
When Cruise and Kidman were married – and it was a long marriage by Hollywood standards – they adopted Connor and Isabella. But their parents split and formed new families, and the kids have a say in where they spend their time. Kidman’s comment.

Rosie O’Donnell
O’Donnell, who was known as the “Queen of Nice” for her daytime TV show, is passionate about adoption, and she has adopted three children: Parker, Chelsea and Blake. O’Donnell, who announced that she is gay not long before she quit her show, also was married.

Sheryl Crow
Singer Sheryl Crow is adding another member to her family with the recent announcement of the adoption of her second son, Levi. The Grammy-winning star told fans that Levi James was born on April 30. Crow adopted her first son, Wyatt, in 2007 when he was just two weeks old.

Elton John
Elton John fell in love with baby Lev, a child in an HIV-positive orphanage in Ukraine. Although his hopes for adoption were dashed, he's not giving up.

Father George Clements
Father George Clements received widespread attention when he became the first Roman Catholic priest to adopt a child. Father Clements went on to found an adoption program that currently operates in 32 states.

George Lucas
"Star Wars" creator George Lucas adopted his first child when he was married and adopted two more children as a single dad. Lucas is the founder of an educational foundation, which focuses on project-based learning as well as helping special needs children.

Joan Crawford
The eldest adopted daughter of Joan Crawford wrote a book about Crawford's parenting skills. Crawford adopted a total of four children. The agency handling her first adoption was later tied to a black market baby ring.

Madonna
Superstar Madonna adopted Malawian-born David Banda in 2006. In 2009, Madonna petitioned to adopt a second child from Malawi. Over the protests of the child's father, she was initially refused, but Madonna won on appeal and Mercy James joined the family in the spring of 2009.

Ben Stein
Through admitted selfishness on his part, Ben Stein never considered becoming a father. After adopting his only child, he wrote a book about fatherhood.

Lionel Richie
Three-year-old Nicole Richie moved in with Lionel Richie and his former wife when Nicole's biological father hit hard times. Richie officially adopted Nicole six years later.

Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl and her husband, Josh Kelley, adopted their first child, a baby with special needs from South Korea. The former "Grey's Anatomy" star says she was inspired by her sister. Heigl says her own reaction to motherhood was stronger than anticipated.

Alex Kingston
Best known for her role as Dr. Elizabeth Corday on the hit show "ER," Alex Kingston experienced two failed adoptions.

Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis and husband Christopher Guest adopted two children, son Tom and daughter Annie. Curtis, an accomplished actor and children's book author, wrote a book about adoption from a child's point of view.

Sandra Bullock
Oscar winner Sandra Bullock brought home Louis Bardo in January and kept the adoption a secret. Ten days after the Oscars, Bullock and husband Jesse James separated.

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