Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reportedly considered a dramatic name change for their family amid prolonged passport delays for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. According to the Guardian, the couple faced an unusual and extended wait for legal documents required for the children’s passports, with the process taking nearly six months—a stark contrast to the standard three-week issuance period. The couple reportedly feared that the delay was due to King Charles III’s opposition to the use of their royal titles, HRH, which they included on the passport applications.
As a result of their frustration, the couple allegedly discussed the possibility of changing their family name to Spencer, a move that could have had significant implications for their public identity. This consideration was said to have occurred after a face-to-face conversation with Harry’s uncle, Earl Charles Spencer, who is the late Princess Diana’s brother. The conversation reportedly centered around using Spencer as a surname, a step that would have been in line with the tradition of the royal family where children often inherit their parents’ titles as surnames.
However, the passports were eventually issued after the Sussexes’ legal team sent a letter to the U.K. Home Office, threatening to conduct a data subject access request to uncover the delays. This legal maneuver was seen as a key factor in resolving the issue, as it prompted officials to expedite the processing. Buckingham Palace, however, has publicly denied any involvement in the delays, stating that the Sussexes’ children were issued their passports without any interference or objections on the part of the palace.
The situation underscores the broader tensions within the royal family regarding tradition, privacy, and the evolving role of the monarchy in modern society. Harry and Meghan’s decision to step down as working members of the royal family in 2020 has led to a shift in their public profile, with the couple now seeking a more private life. The HRH titles for their children, which were included in the documents, are seen as a way to preserve their royal heritage and allow the children to make their own decisions about their future roles, if any, in the monarchy.
Despite the delays, the Sussexes have expressed their commitment to their children’s royal titles, stating that these titles are a birthright that has been passed down through generations. This sentiment aligns with the broader narrative of the royal family, where titles and heritage are central to identity. While the name change remained an option, it was ultimately not pursued, reflecting a compromise between tradition, legal obligations, and the couple’s desire to maintain their public standing within the royal family.