The Duke of Sussex is facing backlash after asking to change his name, with some netizens saying it’s only adding fuel to the fire in his strained relationship with the royal family.
Prince Harry reportedly reached out to his uncle, Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, for advice on changing his last name to Spencer.
According to sources, the Duke of Sussex seriously considered dropping Mountbatten-Windsor — the surname shared by his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet — in favor of his mother’s family name.
While visiting Britain, Prince Harry is said to have spoken with his uncle, also known as Earl Spencer. According to a friend of the Duke, the conversation was warm, but Spencer discouraged the idea, explaining that the legal obstacles made it nearly impossible. The pal further divulged:
“They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step.”
Mountbatten-Windsor, the surname given to Prince Harry’s children, represents both sides of their royal lineage. It joins the family name Windsor, tied to the monarchy, with Mountbatten, the surname adopted by Prince Philip.
This combined name is officially recorded on the birth certificates of Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana, the son and daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Royal author Tom Bower claimed that “Meghan decided her real object in life was to be Diana.” If approved, the name change would have made Prince Harry’s daughter Lilibet Diana Spencer — a stronger nod to his late mother.
The decision could have deeply affected King Charles III, who values the Mountbatten name. It was chosen in 1960 by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip for their descendants, honoring both family lines.
Names and titles have remained a sensitive topic for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the very titles bestowed upon them by Queen Elizabeth II during their wedding in 2018.
Since word of Prince Harry’s interest in a name change surfaced, online reactions have poured in swiftly and sharply. Netizens didn’t hold back, many expressing disbelief and frustration at his reported decision.
One person scoffed, “Just when you think he can’t get any lower…” Another chimed in with disdain, “The Final Insult .. He’s Blown Any Chance Of Returning To The Firm Now…[sic].”
Some accused the Duke and his wife of fueling division, “I swear they are doing anything they can to keep the rift going. Dropping the name would be a direct slap in the face of Charles and the late Queen.”
Others took aim at his identity altogether, with one user sneering, “Let him. Hewitt or Markle? Don’t forget to remove his title as well.” Another commented on the royal’s motives, “He don’t want to his family name dragged through the tabloids every 5minutes [sic].”
Skepticism continued as someone remarked, “Doesn’t [sic] want the name but wants the title.” Finally, a pointed question echoed the sentiment of many, “Does that mean he should lose his titles too?”
The backlash against Prince Harry grew shortly after his brother, Prince William, received a special honor from their father. William, the Prince of Wales, was given the title of Great Master of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath — something Harry will never get.
King Charles gave him the title during a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 16, 2025. The event showed how royal traditions are passed down and how important these honors are in the family.
Soon after receiving the new title, Prince William stood beside his father at a special service marking the 300th anniversary of the Order of the Bath. The ceremony held extra meaning for the royal family, as it was the King Charles’s first time attending the event as Sovereign.
As part of the ceremony, Prince William took on the role of Great Master of the Order, a position usually held by the heir to the throne. Alongside his appointment, five others were officially named Knights Grand Cross.
King George I founded the Order of the Bath on May 18, 1725. Originally created to honor military service, it later expanded to include high-ranking figures from both the military and government sectors.
The Order’s name and traditions trace back to medieval times, when future knights took a ceremonial bath to show spiritual cleansing before being honored. When it was brought back in the 1700s, those historic elements were still kept alive.
At the recent ceremony, King Charles and Prince William arrived at the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey. From there, they walked in a formal procession with other officials through the main hall, continued to the Quire for the service, and then entered the Henry VII Lady Chapel for the final part of the ceremony.
While the Sovereign only attends once every eight years, the Great Master participates in each ceremony held every four. King Charles last took part in the service back in 2022, when Queen Elizabeth II was still alive.
This year, the Prince and Princess of Wales used their official Instagram account to acknowledge the historic occasion. They noted the Order’s long-standing tradition of honoring remarkable service in both military and civil fields across the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.
The event served as yet another sign of Prince William’s steady rise toward the throne, drawing a clear contrast to the separate path his brother, Prince Harry, appears to be taking.
Prince Harry’s wish to change his last name has caused a lot of debate. Many people see it as a sign of how far he has drifted from the royal family.
At the same time, Prince William is taking on more royal duties and honors. His new title and role show that he is moving closer to becoming king. The two brothers now seem to be on very different paths.
