Monkey to keep royal moniker

A monkey is seen on a tree at Nairobi's National Park March 11, 2013. The park is located just 7 km (4 miles) from the Kenya's capital city center. REUTERS/Marko Djurica (KENYA - Tags: ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT)

A monkey is seen on a tree at Nairobi's National Park March 11, 2013. The park is located just 7 km (4 miles) from the Kenya's capital city center. REUTERS/Marko Djurica (KENYA - Tags: ANIMALS ENVIRONMENT)

Published May 8, 2015

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Tokyo - A monkey born in a Japanese zoo will keep its name Charlotte, after all.

Oita city officials settled a dayslong national debate over whether calling the monkey Charlotte offends its British royal namesake.

The officials say they will stick to their first choice because there was no protest from Britain’s royal family.

The name flap began Wednesday when the popular Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden named a newborn macaque Charlotte, which was the favorite in a public ballot. Immediately after the decision was announced, the zoo was flooded with protests from some Japanese saying it was disrespectful to British royals.

Oita Mayor Kiichiro Sato endorsed the decision Friday, saying Charlotte is a very cute name.

AP

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