Classic names tipped with Alice early favourite for baby girl

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will keep it classic when choosing a name for their third child – just like they did for Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

If the baby is a girl, they are thought likely to pick a traditionally royal name such as Alice – the name of one of Queen Victoria’s daughters and also of the Duke of Edinburgh’s mother and already the bookmakers’ favourite at 7-1 – or Victoria after the baby’s long-reigning ancestor.

Other suggestions include Alexandra or Mary, the Queen’s two middle names and the names of her grandmother Queen Mary and greatgrandmother Queen Alexandra – or Amelia, the name of one of George III’s daughters.

Born in 1783, Amelia was the youngest of the king’s 15 children. She fell passionately in love with one of her father’s equerries, Charles Fitzroy, but was forbidden by her mother from marrying him. She died from tuberculosis when she was just 27.

George II also had a daughter called Amelia. The name has been the most popular girls’ name in England and Wales since 2011.

Isabella could also be a contender. There is a young Princess Isabella of Denmark, who was born in 2007.

Elizabeth – after the baby’s greatgrandmother the Queen – has already been used as one of Charlotte’s middle names, as has Diana in remembrance of William’s late mother. Dorothy might be selected as a middle name in tribute to Kate’s maternal grandmother.

Historically, royal names such as James – also the name of KatWe’s brother – are among the favourite predictions for a boy.

But Arthur and Albert are also highly tipped by bookies Coral at 10-1 and 12-1 respectively.