Imagine the royal staff's surprise when Prince William casually dropped some eyebrow-raising names for his firstborn—names so unconventional, they left even the most composed palace insiders speechless. But here’s where it gets controversial: could the future king have seriously considered naming his son Rodney or Graham? A new biography by The Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, spills the tea on the couple’s behind-the-scenes journey to parenthood, revealing that Prince William had a knack for throwing out left-field name suggestions that had everyone in stitches—and occasionally, stuttering in disbelief.
Published in February 2026, the book dives into the months leading up to Prince George’s birth in 2013, when William and Kate were deep in the trenches of baby name brainstorming. And this is the part most people miss: while Kate favored traditional names like Alexander or Alexandra (a nod to Queen Elizabeth’s middle name), William wasn’t afraid to think outside the royal box. According to Myers, the prince would kick off meetings with his press team by jokingly suggesting names like Rodney or Graham, waiting for their stunned reactions before bursting into laughter.
But it wasn’t all fun and games. The biography paints a picture of a couple genuinely invested in finding the perfect name for their future heir. They spent hours poring over a baby name book gifted by a friend, often dissolving into laughter at each other’s more eccentric ideas. Here’s the kicker: despite William’s playful suggestions, he ultimately leaned toward tradition, settling on a shortlist of George and Louis for a boy.
The book also sheds light on other pivotal moments in the couple’s life, from Kate’s cancer diagnosis and William’s protective role as a father, to their navigation of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s public accusations against the royal family. It even delves into William’s heated disagreements with King Charles over his uncle, Prince Andrew. But let’s circle back to the name game: if William had gone with Rodney or Graham, would it have been a bold break from tradition or a royal misstep?
Myers, who has followed the couple for nearly a decade, describes the biography as a ‘truly intimate portrait’ that goes beyond the headlines. It explores their love, resilience, and vision for a modern monarchy in an era of unprecedented change. So, what do you think? Would Rodney or Graham have been a fitting name for a future king, or did William make the right call with George? Let’s debate in the comments!
William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, published by Ebury, Penguin Random House, is available for pre-order now. Get ready to dive into the untold stories of the couple shaping the future of the monarchy—one name at a time.
