Prince Harry is said to have considered a major symbolic break from the Royal Family by exploring the idea of changing his surname from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer, his late mother Princess Diana’s maiden name, according to multiple media reports.
The Duke of Sussex reportedly reached out to his maternal uncle, Earl Spencer, for guidance on the matter. A source close to the prince told Daily Mail, “They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step.”
The move, had it been taken, would have been seen as a dramatic gesture to distance himself further from the House of Windsor and align more closely with his mother’s legacy. It comes amid ongoing tension between Harry and the rest of the Royal Family following his and Meghan Markle’s departure from royal duties in 2020.
Royal commentator Charles Rae criticized the idea during an appearance on The Sun, saying, “I think as well that this is another Harry not knowing what he wants to do.” He referenced Harry’s recent interview with the BBC, in which the prince expressed a desire to reconcile with his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William.
“It was only less than a month ago that he was pleading for a reconciliation with his father and his brother,” Rae said. “And the next thing we hear, and I think the story was well sourced, he wants to change the name from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer.”
He added, “Well, that is sending a terrible message to the Royal Family that he doesn’t really want a reconciliation. He wants to be completely severed from the Royal Family. And I think the king should grant his wish. I think he should sever him from the Royal Family.”
Royal correspondent Sarah Hewson offered another interpretation, speculating that Harry’s motive could have been to signal his feelings of alienation. “Is it to say, ‘ok, fine, you don’t want to talk to us, then we’re not a part of this anymore?’” she asked.
Hewson also noted Harry’s apparent closeness to his Spencer relatives, who were present at the recent 10th anniversary service for the Invictus Games at St. Paul’s Cathedral—an event where no members of the Royal Family attended.
“Is it to honour his mother?” Hewson continued. “Some more cynical commentators have suggested, well, it would be very good marketing in the United States to have the Spencer name and Lilibet would then be Lilibet Diana Spencer.”
While the surname change has not materialized, the reported consideration adds a new layer to Prince Harry’s evolving identity and ongoing tensions with the Royal Family.
