Consensus on the name was not reached until almost 70 years after the planet's discovery. During the original discussions following discovery, Maskelyne asked Herschel to "do the astronomical world the to give a name to your planet, which is entirely your own, which we are so much obliged to you for the discovery of". In response to Maskelyne's request, Herschel decided to name the object (George's Star), or the "Georgian Planet" in honour of his new patron, King George III. He explained this decision in a letter to Joseph Banks: