Have your say on Prince Harry changing his surname to Spencer
Prince Harry reportedly consulted Princess Diana's brother about the possibility of changing his surname from Mountbatten-Windsor to Spencer - and we want to hear your thoughts on the topic. During a rare visit to the UK, the Duke of Sussex is believed to have discussed the matter with his uncle Earl Spencer, but was advised that the legal hurdles involved were too significant to overcome, reports the Mail on Sunday.
The dramatic move would mean giving up the Mountbatten-Windsor surname, which is also used by his children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, three. His current surname is only available to descendants of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, which combines the Royal Family 's title of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh 's adopted surname.
Following her accession to the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth confirmed the Royal Family name of Windsor. In 1960, the Queen and then Duke of Edinburgh elected for their direct descendants to carry the surname Mountbatten-Windsor - a name cherished by King Charles.
Sources have claimed that Harry has been keenly exploring ways to adopt his late mother's surname, as a friend of the Duke told MailOnline: "They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step". Royal author Tom Bower has claimed that 'Meghan decided her real object in life was to be Diana'. If the name change had succeeded, Meghan's daughter would have become Lilibet Diana Spencer.
According to the Government, you do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name, but it suggests on its official website using a 'deed poll' to apply for, or to change official documents such as a passport or driving licence. This move could mean that Harry's children, Archie and Lilibet, would also lose their existing surname of Mountbatten-Windsor, sources suggest. However, it is widely believed that the family use the surname Sussex, to reflect Harry and Meghan's roles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
During an episode of her Netflix show, Meghan corrected her friend Mindy Kaling saying: "It's so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle – you know I'm Sussex now. You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children'. 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.'"
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While Harry was reportedly told that the legalities surrounding the name change were too great to overcome, his request reflects the Sussexes' expanding rift with the Firm after stepping down from royal duties in 2020. Following revelations that the Duke reached out to his uncle to discuss changing his family name, we want to know if you think Harry should switch to Spencer. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
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