Why Did Prince Harry Change Last Name at Recent Event?

Is Prince Harry trying to downplay his royal lineage? Well, maybe.

The Duke of Sussex played at the St. Regis Snow Polo Championship in Aspen, Colorado, last week, and he took a “low-profile” approach when he was introduced. According to a Page Six source, “Harry was introduced as Harry Wales, with no royal title mentioned ever or anywhere.”

The outlet climbed that he didn’t want to draw any attention to himself while he played polo with his bestie, Nacho Figureras. “He was there to play polo with his best friend Nacho,” the insider added, “No titles, just fun.” Harry also stayed away from the press that was there to cover the event.

Of course, the use of the last name “Wales” sparked some controversy since Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, use the last name “Sussex.” Still, he was born His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales because that was his father’s moniker at the time.

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry.

John Nacion/WireImage/Getty Images.

The Prince of Wales title now belongs to Harry’s estranged brother, Prince William, so he naturally drew plenty of criticism overseas. “Perhaps the only ridiculous one is Harry, and he asked to be announced that way. Everyone knows his title is Sussex,” wrote one critic on X.

Another social media user added, “Very bizarre. Didn’t even use Prince Harry. Maybe he knows the titles will be removed soon and is signaling to the monarchy that he will go by Harry Wales, not Mountbatten-Windsor.”

While social media had its say in the matter, Harry’s spokesperson told the Express that it was just “a mistake.” He did not ask to be introduced as “Harry Wales,” it was just a simple slip of the tongue — he’s Harry Sussex.

The use of the couple’s last name came into focus earlier this year when Meghan revealed to With Love, Meghan guest Mindy Kaling that she no longer goes by the last name “Markle.”

“You know I’m Sussex now,” she explained. “You have kids and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children. It just means so much to go, ‘This is our family name, our little family name.’”

Harry and Meghan share two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

More on the royal family:

Click here to see Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s complete relationship timeline.