Advertisement
Prince Harry is reportedly considering changing his family name to Spencer, the surname used by his late mother, Princess Diana. According to reports, the Duke of Sussex discussed this idea with his uncle, Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother, during one of his rare visits to the UK. However, Charles reportedly advised Harry against the change, warning that it could lead to legal complications.
If Harry were to adopt Spencer as his surname, it would mean giving up the Mountbatten-Windsor name traditionally used by the British royal family. This suggestion comes nearly five years after Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties at Buckingham Palace, amid ongoing tensions with senior royals, including the Prince of Wales and the monarch.
Harry has at times used “Wales” as a last name, reflecting his parents’ titles as Prince and Princess of Wales. His children, Archie and Lilibet, officially carry the Mountbatten-Windsor surname. Meghan has spoken about the significance of this shared family name, expressing to People Magazine how meaningful it became to her after having children, highlighting the bond it represents for their family.
Harry and Meghan married in 2018 and left the royal family in 2020 after the birth of their son, marking a major shift in their roles and public lives. The possibility of a name change adds another layer to the Duke’s evolving identity outside the traditional royal framework.