In a revealing report, it has emerged that Prince Harry once considered changing his last name from Windsor-Mountbatten to his late mother Princess Diana’s maiden name, Spencer. The Duke of Sussex reportedly entertained the idea during a growing estrangement from the British Royal Family.
According to The Mail, on Sunday, Harry approached his maternal uncle, Charles Spencer, for advice on how to make the change official. The move would have symbolically aligned Harry more closely with his mother’s side of the family rather than the royal institution he has distanced himself from in recent years.
A close friend of Prince Harry told The Mail: “They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step.” The report adds another layer to the ongoing narrative surrounding Harry’s personal and public transformation since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 alongside his wife, Meghan Markle. The couple has frequently spoken about their challenges within the royal household, and Harry has openly discussed the emotional weight of his mother’s legacy.
The news comes shortly after Meghan Markle made headlines of her own on her new podcast, With Love, Meghan, when she corrected actress and friend Mindy Kaling for repeatedly using her maiden name on the show. “It’s so funny you keep saying ‘Meghan Mk Markle’, you know I’m Sussex now,” Meghan said during the episode.
She went on to reflect on the significance of her married name in the context of motherhood and family unity. “You have kids and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children,’” Meghan added. “I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to go ‘This is OUR family name. Our little family name.”
Meghan’s comments appear to highlight a strong attachment to the Sussex title, further contrasting Harry’s apparent contemplation of distancing himself from his royal surname altogether.
Though Prince Harry ultimately chose not to move forward with the name change, the consideration underscores the emotional complexity of his evolving relationship with the monarchy and his ongoing efforts to forge a new identity outside of royal tradition.
As both Harry and Meghan continue to redefine their public image and personal lives away from the U.K., revelations like these offer insight into how deeply personal and symbolic names can be in shaping one’s sense of family and belonging.
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