It’s no secret that Prince Harry doesn’t exactly get along with the royal family (he’s literally locked in multiple years-long royal feuds), and apparently things were so bad a few years back that he considered changing his last name.
The Daily Mail reports that Harry “actively explored ways to assume his mother’s surname,” which would have meant abandoning his last name, Mountbatten-Windsor, for “Spencer.”
Harry even allegedly spoke about the name change with his uncle, Earl Spencer, during one of his trips to England, but was told “the legal hurdles were insurmountable.” Per an anon friend of Harry’s who chatted to the outlet, “They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step.”
If Harry had gone through with the change, presumably his kids would be known as Archie and Lilibet Spencer, while Meghan Markle would be known as Meghan Spencer. Wild!
Prince Harry and Earl Spencer.
Quick history lesson before we go: The royal last name “Mountbatten-Windsor” was essentially made up by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, who decided decided they wanted a unique moniker for their kids. “Windsor” is the last name that George V gave his descendants, while “Mountbatten” is the last name of Prince Philip’s maternal grandparents.
Though FYI, a lot of royals don’t even use last names. Per the official website, “For the most part, members of the Royal Family who are entitled to the style and dignity of HRH Prince or Princess do not need a surname, but if at any time any of them do need a surname (such as upon marriage), that surname is Mountbatten-Windsor.”
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