Tayo Latifayo
Prince Harry reportedly expressed a desire to change his last name to Spencer during a period of personal turmoil and estrangement from the royal family, according to a new revelation by his uncle, Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer.
In a disclosure that has stirred fresh debate about Harry’s relationship with the monarchy, Lord Spencer claims that his nephew once approached him to ask if it would be possible to adopt his late mother Princess Diana’s maiden name, Spencer, effectively distancing himself from the Windsor dynasty.
According to sources close to the family, the conversation reportedly occurred after Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from royal duties and relocated to North America in 2020. The move, widely referred to as “Megxit,” marked a turning point in Harry’s relationship with the royal institution.
Lord Spencer, who has long been protective of his sister Diana’s legacy, is said to have listened sympathetically to Harry’s concerns. While he did not confirm whether he encouraged or discouraged the name change, he described Harry’s request as “a powerful expression of his desire to honor his mother and forge his own identity.”
The Spencer family, part of British aristocracy for centuries, has historically maintained a distinct identity from the royal household, despite Diana’s marriage into the monarchy. Prince Harry’s desire to align more closely with his mother’s lineage rather than his royal surname underscores the depth of his estrangement from the House of Windsor.
The revelation comes as Harry continues to chart a life outside the royal sphere, focusing on personal projects, media ventures, and charitable work through the Archewell Foundation. While he retains his titles — the Duke of Sussex and His Royal Highness — he and Meghan no longer use the HRH style in an official capacity.
Royal commentators have weighed in on the development, with some seeing it as yet another sign of Harry’s emotional struggle with his royal identity, especially in the shadow of his mother’s tragic death and his fraught relationship with the British press.
So far, Buckingham Palace has not issued a comment on the report, maintaining its long-standing policy of not responding to speculative personal matters involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Whether Prince Harry will ever formally abandon the Windsor name remains unclear, but the revelation sheds light on his ongoing journey to redefine himself away from the institution he was born into — and closer to the legacy of the woman who shaped much of his world.
