Japanese zoo may rename ‘Charlotte’ the monkey over royal clash

TOKYO: A Japanese zoo said Thursday it is rethinking the name of a baby monkey after a public poll decided on ‘Charlotte', following complaints it was disrespectful to Britain's newborn princess.

Mt. Takasaki Wild Monkey Park announced the name Wednesday after it came top in a vote, a tradition at the zoo for the first macaque monkey born each year.

“The name was publicly solicited and Charlotte suddenly became the most popular choice — with 59 votes out of the total 853 — after the British baby princess's name was announced,” a zoo official told AFP.

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was born in London to Prince William and his wife Kate last week, a younger sister to Prince George, and now fourth in line to the British throne.

“There was no vote for ‘Charlotte' before the Monday night announcement,” the official said, as a photograph showed the tiny pink- faced monkey clinging to its mother at the park.

“Since we announced the name we've been receiving calls and emails from people mostly complaining that it is rude to British people” to give a monkey the same name as a member of their royal family, he said.

“This morning a TV commentator said he thinks it is alright, but most voices are against the idea,” he added.

Kyodo News reported complainants had asked how people in Japan would react if a British zoo were to name an animal after a member of Japan's revered imperial family. — AFP