Prince Harry ‘asked his mother’s brother if he could change his family name to Spencer’

Prince Harry reportedly considered changing his last name to Spencer, seeking to distance himself from the Mountbatten-Windsor surname.

During a private visit to the UK, the Duke of Sussex, now 40, sought advice from his late mother’s brother, Earl Spencer.

However, Earl Spencer advised against the name change due to potential legal complications. A close friend revealed that the discussion was cordial, and Spencer recommended against proceeding with the name change.

Harry’s children currently use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, a combination of the Royal Family’s name (Windsor) and Prince Philip’s adopted surname, Mountbatten. If the name change had been successful, his daughter would have been known as Lilibet Diana Spencer.

The idea of a name change comes amidst ongoing tensions surrounding titles and names. Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, recently corrected actress Mindy Kaling during her Netflix show, emphasizing the significance of her name. She stated, “It’s so funny you keep saying ‘Meghan Markle’ – you know I’m Sussex now.” Markle further explained, “I share my name with my children. It means so much to say, ‘This is OUR family name. Our little family name.’”

Mountbatten-Windsor, a surname adopted by descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, holds significant importance. Philip adopted this name in 1947 upon becoming a British subject and renouncing his Greek and Danish royal titles. A decade later, he and the Queen decided that their direct descendants would carry this surname.

While legally changing one’s name doesn’t necessitate formal procedures, using a deed poll is advisable for updating official documents such as passports and driver’s licenses.

In 2018, Harry and Meghan officially became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after their marriage. Prior to this, Harry held the title Prince Henry of Wales. Upon marriage, Meghan adopted the feminine form of her husband’s title.

Their children, Archie and Lilibet, initially bore the titles Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. However, after King Charles ascended the throne, they were recognized as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, aligning with royal protocols that bestow the titles of prince and princess upon the monarch’s grandchildren. Archie and Lilibet are currently sixth and seventh in line to the British throne.