Many members of the Japanese public complained that naming the monkey Charlotte was disrespectful to the British royal family. (stock image)

Newborn monkey will keep her name despite complaints

A baby macaque named Charlotte in honour of the newborn British princess will get to keep her name, despite complaints it is disrespectful to the royal family, Kyodo News reports.

A zoo in Oita, southwestern Japan, made headlines this week after being inundated with complaints for naming a monkey in honour of the royal baby. The debate has since been settled by Oita city officials, who say the macaque should keep her name.

The monkey's name was announced after her birth on Wednesday (6 May), prompting members of the Japanese public to complain that the name is disrespectful to the British royal family.

It is traditional for the general public to choose the name of the first macaque born at the Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden every year. In this year's poll, Charlotte was selected as the most popular name for the newborn monkey.

Following the barrage of complaints, the zoo sought advice from the British Embassy in Tokyo and consulted the Oita city government, who encouraged them to keep the name according to Kyodo News.