Japan zoo apologizes for naming newborn monkey Charlotte

In this Saturday, May 2, 2015. file photo, Kate Duchess of Cambridge holds her newborn baby princess as they leave The Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, in London Britain’s newborn princess has been named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana it was announced on Monday May 4. AP

TOKYO — A Japanese zoo has apologized for naming a baby monkey Charlotte after the newborn British princess, following complaints at home.

READ: Britain’s baby princess named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

The Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden said Thursday it was considering renaming the macaque. It was flooded with angry calls and emails Wednesday hours after announcing the name for its first born monkey of the year, a tradition at the city-run zoo in southern Japan.

Charlotte was the favorite in a public ballot, receiving 59 out of 853 votes just over a month until Wednesday, when the female monkey was born.

Opponents largely said giving the princess’ name to a monkey is disrespectful to British royals. The zoo says it also received support for Charlotte and the views are now divided.

The British Embassy in Tokyo declined to comment.