DEAR ABBY: This is in response to the woman who wanted to name her son "the third," even though his name won't be identical to his father's or grandfather's. She told you that "English kings do it all the time."
Abby, please inform that woman that the number after a king's name is a historical designation only. It's not part of his name and is not used during his lifetime. The king now known as Henry VIII was called "King Henry" in his time. Although he was the son of King Henry VII, he wasn't even related to Kings Henry I through VI. He would have had to be the eighth Henry in his family to carry the number VIII after his name while he was living.
Unless the mother plans to crown her son king (in which case he would be the first, not the third), she must use her husband's and father-in-law's exact name in order to call her son a III. Please sign me ... ROYALLY SPEAKING
DEAR R.S.: How clearly you explain the system! Thank you for clarifying the numbering of England's kings. It is also the system used to number other European monarchs, as well as the popes of the Catholic Church.