Prince Harry has reportedly drawn the ire of the Royal Family following a controversial decision that appears to further distance him from his royal roots. According to The Sun, the Duke of Sussex has asked his maternal uncle to help facilitate a change of his last name from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer, the surname of his late mother, Princess Diana.
The move has reportedly left his father, King Charles III, deeply upset, particularly as the monarch continues to manage health issues. Royal Correspondent Charles Rae told The Sun, “I think as well that this is another Harry, not knowing what he wants to do. It was only less than a month ago that he was pleading for a reconciliation with his father and his brother.”
Rae continued, “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. 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.”
The surname Mountbatten-Windsor is traditionally used by descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, combining both the royal house and the Duke of Edinburgh’s family name. A switch to “Spencer” would symbolically align Harry with his mother’s legacy — and not the House of Windsor.
This development comes more than four years after Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, officially stepped back from royal duties in 2020. The couple moved to California and began a new chapter outside of the monarchy, later speaking openly about their experiences within the Royal Family, including claims of racism directed toward their son, Prince Archie.
Since then, the Sussexes have welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, and continued to speak out about the challenges they faced behind palace walls. Their interviews and media projects have further strained relations with the royals, despite occasional hints from Harry that he would like to mend family ties.
However, the reported name change is being interpreted by many insiders as a final step away from his royal identity — and a move that directly contradicts his stated desire for reconciliation. As King Charles and other senior royals continue to respond to the latest development, the future of Prince Harry’s relationship with his family appears more uncertain than ever.