Prince Harry allegedly contemplated changing his surname from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer, in a symbolic move to distance himself further from the royal institution. The Duke of Sussex, now 40, reportedly discussed the idea with his maternal uncle, Earl Spencer, during a private visit to the UK.
According to sources close to the family, the conversation was respectful and thoughtful. However, Earl Spencer advised against the change, citing potential legal complications. “It was a cordial discussion,” a friend of the prince revealed. “Charles Spencer simply felt it wasn’t a practical move.”
Currently, Prince Harry’s children—Archie and Lilibet—use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, a combination of the royal family name (Windsor) and Prince Philip’s adopted surname (Mountbatten). Had the name change gone ahead, Harry’s daughter would have been known as Lilibet Diana Spencer.
The idea comes against the backdrop of ongoing discussions within the Sussex household around identity, titles, and family legacy. Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, recently emphasized the emotional importance of their shared surname during a conversation with actress Mindy Kaling on her Netflix show. “It’s so funny you keep saying ‘Meghan Markle’—you know I’m Sussex now,” Meghan said. “It means so much to say, ‘This is our family name. Our little family name.’”
The Mountbatten-Windsor name was first adopted by descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. When Philip renounced his Greek and Danish royal titles in 1947 and became a British subject, he took the surname Mountbatten. In 1960, it was agreed that their direct descendants not bearing royal styles would use the hyphenated surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
While changing one’s name in the UK does not require a formal legal process, it is typically done through a deed poll to ensure official documents—such as passports and licenses—are updated.
Harry and Meghan became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex upon their marriage in 2018. Before that, Harry was officially known as Prince Henry of Wales. Meghan adopted the feminine version of her husband’s title upon their union.
Their children were originally styled as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. However, following the accession of King Charles III, both were granted the titles of Prince and Princess, in accordance with royal protocol for the monarch’s grandchildren. Archie and Lilibet are currently sixth and seventh in line to the British throne.
