Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Considered Changing Children’s Surname to Spencer Amid Royal Tensions and Passport Delays

Published: June 5, 2025

In a move that underscores their ongoing rift with the British royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently contemplated changing their children’s surname to Spencer, a tribute to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana. The revelation, first reported by TMZ on June 5, 2025, has sparked widespread discussion about the Sussexes’ efforts to carve out a new identity for their family, separate from the monarchy’s traditional naming conventions. Sources reveal that the decision was driven by both emotional and practical factors, including bureaucratic delays in securing passports for their children, Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana.

A Tribute to Princess Diana

The potential surname change to Spencer would have been a deeply personal nod to Princess Diana, whose maiden name holds significant emotional weight for Prince Harry. Royal author Tom Bower, as cited in a recent Daily Mail article, suggested that Meghan’s admiration for Diana played a key role in the decision. “Meghan decided her real object in life was to be Diana,” Bower claimed, noting that the name change would have transformed their daughter’s name to Lilibet Diana Spencer—a more direct homage to Harry’s late mother.

Harry reportedly sought advice from his uncle, Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, during a face-to-face meeting. According to The Guardian, Earl Spencer was enthusiastic and supportive of the idea, seeing it as a fitting way to honor his sister’s legacy. This move would have distanced the Sussexes further from the Mountbatten-Windsor surname, which has been used by the royal family since 1960 and is currently the official surname of Archie and Lilibet.

Passport Delays and Bureaucratic Frustrations

The consideration of a surname change wasn’t solely an emotional decision—it was also born out of “sheer exasperation,” as described by sources in The Guardian. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced repeated delays from British officials in issuing passports for their children, a process complicated by the family’s evolving public identity. The passport applications reportedly included the titles HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) for Archie and Lilibet, as well as the surname Sussex, which the couple had begun using publicly. Until 2023, Archie held both U.S. and British passports under the Mountbatten-Windsor name, but the shift to Sussex on official documents appears to have caused confusion among U.K. authorities.

One source told The Guardian that Harry and Meghan feared British officials were deliberately dragging their feet, possibly due to behind-the-scenes discussions involving Buckingham Palace. The Home Office and Buckingham Palace were approached for comment, with the latter denying any interference in the passport process. A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex stated, “We do not comment on private issues pertaining to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s children,” while Earl Spencer had not responded to inquiries at the time of publication.

The passport delays highlight the Sussexes’ broader struggle to navigate their post-royal lives. Since stepping back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, Harry and Meghan have faced numerous challenges, from security disputes to legal battles over their children’s titles and documentation. Just last month, on May 21, 2025, Prince Harry suffered a legal setback when a U.K. judge denied his appeal for government-funded security while in Britain, further straining his relationship with the royal establishment.

Deepening the Royal Rift

Adopting the Spencer surname would have likely deepened the already significant divide between the Sussexes and the royal family. The Mountbatten-Windsor name, a combination of the royal family’s Windsor surname and Prince Philip’s adopted surname, Mountbatten, is a symbol of the monarchy’s lineage. By considering a switch to Spencer, Harry and Meghan would have symbolically distanced themselves from King Charles III, Prince William, and the institution they once represented.

The couple’s decision to drop their HRH titles in 2020 as part of their exit agreement with Queen Elizabeth II was already a significant step away from royal tradition. However, their public use of the Sussex surname—highlighted by Meghan’s correction of a guest on her Netflix series With Love, Meghan earlier this year—shows their intent to redefine their family’s identity on their own terms. In the March episode, Meghan told comedienne Mindy Kaling, “It’s so funny you keep saying ‘Meghan Markle’ – you know I’m Sussex now,” a moment that underscored her commitment to the new family branding.

Yet, the potential change to Spencer also stirred controversy. A report in The Mail on Sunday claimed that Earl Spencer had advised Harry against the name change, citing insurmountable legal hurdles. Sources quickly debunked this, with one telling The Guardian, “It’s completely untrue.” The conflicting reports reflect the intense public and media scrutiny the Sussexes continue to face as they navigate their lives outside the royal fold.

A Symbolic Step Forward

For Harry, the Spencer surname carries a profound connection to his mother, who remains a global icon and a defining influence in his life. Princess Diana’s humanitarian work, her struggles within the royal family, and her tragic death in 1997 have shaped Harry’s worldview and his approach to parenting. By considering the Spencer name for his children, Harry may have been seeking to align his family more closely with Diana’s legacy of compassion and independence, rather than the constraints of royal tradition.

The potential name change also comes at a time when Harry and Meghan are increasingly focused on their independent ventures. Meghan’s Netflix series, which showcases her passion for cooking and lifestyle, and Harry’s ongoing advocacy for mental health and veterans through the Invictus Games, reflect their desire to build a legacy distinct from the monarchy. A surname change to Spencer could have been a powerful symbol of that independence, signaling to the world—and perhaps to the royal family—that they are charting their own path.

What’s Next for the Sussexes?

While it remains unclear whether Harry and Meghan will revisit the idea of changing their children’s surname, the episode highlights the complexities of their post-royal journey. The couple’s frustrations with British bureaucracy, combined with their desire to honor Princess Diana’s memory, paint a picture of a family caught between past loyalties and future aspirations.

For now, Archie and Lilibet remain Mountbatten-Windsor on their official documents, but the Sussexes’ exploration of the Spencer surname has reignited discussions about their place in the royal narrative. As they continue to build their lives in California, far from the palaces and protocols of the British monarchy, Harry and Meghan are clearly determined to define their family’s identity on their own terms—even if it means breaking with centuries of tradition.

The royal family, meanwhile, shows no signs of reconciliation. With King Charles III and Prince William reportedly still at odds with Harry, the potential surname change could have been yet another wedge in an already fractured relationship. Whether the Sussexes ultimately choose to embrace the Spencer name or not, their consideration of it speaks volumes about their ongoing quest for autonomy, identity, and a lasting connection to Princess Diana’s enduring legacy.