Prince Harry is reportedly considering dropping his official surname, Mountbatten-Windsor, in favor of his late mother’s maiden name — Spencer. According to Daily Mail, the Duke of Sussex has discussed the possibility with close relatives, including his uncle Charles Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, during a recent trip to the UK.
Sources cited by the newspaper say Harry is “actively exploring” how to take on the Spencer name as a way of distancing himself from the royal family and reaffirming his connection to his mother.
However, a close friend of Harry told Daily Mail that Charles Spencer advised against the move, warning of the potential consequences for Harry’s public image and family relationships. The paper notes that such a decision would likely be seen as a personal blow to King Charles III and a further sign of the deepening rift between Harry and the monarchy.
Earlier this month, Prince Harry said in a British television interview that he wants reconciliation with his family, but cannot bring his wife and children to the UK due to inadequate police protection. He also revealed that he and his father are not on speaking terms and admitted, “I don’t know how long he’s got,” expressing that continuing the feud no longer made sense.
Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to the United States, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have remained in a strained relationship with the British royal family.
