Prince Harry is reportedly considering a dramatic change—dropping his Mountbatten-Windsor surname in favor of his mother Princess Diana’s maiden name, Spencer.
According to a friend, the Duke of Sussex is eager to further separate himself from his royal lineage and sees adopting the Spencer name as a step in that direction.
Royal followers reacted swiftly to the news, with many showing strong support for the change—and just as many expressing disdain. Some even said Harry “wouldn’t be missed” if he went through with it.
Earl Spencer Reportedly Urged Caution
According to the Daily Mail, Harry reached out to his uncle, Earl Spencer, for advice. A friend told the paper, “They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step.” Despite the warning, speculation about the name change has only intensified.
Public Poll Divides Opinion
As the rumor spread, the Daily Express launched a reader poll on June 2–3, 2025, asking whether Harry should be allowed to change his surname. Out of 2,992 participants, 52% (1,564 votes) supported the idea, while 43% (1,281 votes) were against it.
The poll’s comment section saw an influx of passionate responses. One user wrote, “Name change and a permanent FO. Won’t be missed!” Another commented, “Sounds like [Harry] really does want to distance himself from the royal family.” On the other side, a supporter joked, “Good idea. Send him a deed poll, someone.” Meanwhile, one commenter dismissed the entire move, saying, “So delusional. He actually believes that he is missed and that someone will be upset.”
Critics Weigh In on Social Media
The news, first reported by Daily Mail royal editor Richard Eden on X (formerly Twitter), quickly drew further criticism online.
One royal watcher remarked, “Honestly, it makes no sense. His situation would be worse. No Prince, no Duke of Sussex.” Another added, “Let him! The farther away he is from the royal family, the better!”
Some critics linked the alleged move to Meghan Markle, suggesting it’s part of a broader attempt to align more closely with Princess Diana’s image.
One person commented, “No doubt Meghan’s desire to be another step closer to being Diana 2.0.” Another took it a step further: “This is about making their daughter… Princess Diana Spencer? Just when you think they can’t stoop any lower.”
Royal Experts Question the Motives
Royal commentator Tom Bower previously claimed Meghan’s main goal was to emulate Diana, a theory echoed by royal expert Charlotte Griffiths.
Speaking to GB News, Griffiths said, “I can’t think of another reason why you’d want to suddenly become a Spencer. It’s quite a serious title, Mountbatten-Windsor.” She added that a surname change would likely “really hurt his father’s feelings.”
Historical Significance of the Name
Mountbatten-Windsor is not just any surname—it holds deep personal and historical meaning. It’s the family name used by descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who adopted the surname Mountbatten when he became a British citizen in 1947, relinquishing his Greek and Danish royal titles to marry the then-Princess Elizabeth.
Conclusion
While Prince Harry has yet to confirm any change, the mere possibility has once again put him at the center of public scrutiny. Whether viewed as a symbolic break from tradition or a misguided PR move, the discussion around the potential name change highlights the ongoing divide between Harry and the royal establishment—and the public’s persistent fascination with every step he takes.