Prince Harry is under fire after reportedly considering a legal name change—an idea that critics say only deepens the rift between him and the royal family.
According to sources, the Duke of Sussex approached his uncle, Earl Spencer—Princess Diana’s brother—for advice about dropping the surname Mountbatten-Windsor in favor of Spencer, his mother’s maiden name.
While the conversation was described as warm, Spencer advised against it due to the legal complexities involved. A friend close to Harry said, “They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step.”
Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname of both Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, combining the royal lineage of Windsor and the Mountbatten name adopted by Prince Philip. Changing it would not only mark a symbolic shift but could also be seen as distancing Harry and his family from the monarchy.
Royal biographer Tom Bower previously claimed, “Meghan decided her real object in life was to be Diana.” If Harry had gone through with the change, his daughter’s full name would become Lilibet Diana Spencer, making the tribute to his late mother even more prominent.
The idea of dropping Mountbatten-Windsor might not sit well with King Charles III, who values the name deeply. It was chosen by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1960 to reflect both sides of their heritage. The sensitivity around names and titles is longstanding for the Sussexes, ever since they were granted their titles at their 2018 wedding.
Online reaction to the potential name change has been swift and largely negative. One user wrote, “Just when you think he can’t get any lower…” while another declared, “The Final Insult .. He’s Blown Any Chance Of Returning To The Firm Now…[sic].” Some viewed the move as divisive, with one person commenting, “Dropping the name would be a direct slap in the face of Charles and the late Queen.”
Other critics questioned Harry’s motives and identity. “Let him. Hewitt or Markle? Don’t forget to remove his title as well,” one person mocked. Another suggested, “He don’t want to his family name dragged through the tabloids every 5minutes [sic].”
Skepticism was widespread. “Doesn’t [sic] want the name but wants the title,” one user noted, while another echoed a broader sentiment: “Does that mean he should lose his titles too?”
This controversy unfolded just as Prince William was honored by their father, King Charles III. On May 16, 2025, William was appointed Great Master of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath during a ceremonial event at Westminster Abbey. The appointment highlighted William’s position as heir and underlined the royal family’s continued traditions.
The Order of the Bath, created by King George I in 1725, originally recognized military service and later expanded to include high-ranking figures in government.
The ceremony saw William take on the role typically reserved for the heir to the throne. Five others were also named Knights Grand Cross during the event, which included a formal procession and service in the historic Henry VII Lady Chapel.
King Charles attended the ceremony for the first time as Sovereign, although the monarch traditionally participates only once every eight years. The Great Master, in contrast, takes part in every ceremony held every four years. The Prince and Princess of Wales acknowledged the event on their official Instagram, celebrating the Order’s legacy in honoring distinguished public service.
The contrast between the two brothers continues to grow. As Prince William takes on more royal responsibilities and moves closer to the throne, Prince Harry’s potential name change and continued separation from royal life suggest very different futures. For many, Harry’s reported desire to abandon his family surname is another sign of just how far he has drifted from the institution he was born into.