“Just When You Think He Can’t Get Any Lower”—Prince Harry’s Name Change Plan Ignites Backlash
Prince Harry has once again landed in hot water—this time over a deeply personal decision that’s stirred up a storm of criticism. According to multiple sources, the Duke of Sussex seriously considered dropping his royal surname Mountbatten-Windsor in favor of his late mother’s family name: Spencer.
The name change, quietly discussed during a recent visit to the U.K., involved a private conversation between Harry and his uncle, Charles Spencer—Princess Diana’s brother. While the two reportedly shared a “warm and amicable” exchange, Spencer gently advised against the move, citing its complex legal and emotional implications.
“They had a very amicable conversation, and Spencer advised him against taking such a step,” a friend close to the Duke shared.
Still, Harry’s intent was clear: he no longer wanted the family name so heavily tied to royal legacy and, instead, wished to honor the woman he’s always said was his guiding light—his mother, Diana.
But the public didn’t exactly applaud.
Online Fury Erupts
As news of Harry’s private conversation spread, social media lit up with passionate—and often brutal—reactions.
“Just when you think he can’t get any lower,” one user wrote.
“The Final Insult… He’s blown any chance of returning to The Firm now.”
Some accused Harry of purposefully deepening the rift between him and his royal relatives:
“They’re doing everything they can to keep the feud alive,” another commented. “Dropping the name would be a direct slap in the face to Charles and the late Queen.”
Others mocked his identity altogether, referencing past rumors:
“Hewitt or Markle? Let him pick,” one person jeered. “And don’t forget to take away his title while he’s at it.”
Even those sympathetic to Harry’s journey found the timing and optics troubling:
“He doesn’t want the name, but he wants the title?” one pointed out. “Then what’s the message here?”
A Tale of Two Brothers
Adding fuel to the fire, the controversy unfolded just days after Prince William received a prestigious new honor from King Charles III. On May 16, 2025, William was appointed Great Master of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath at Westminster Abbey—a significant title typically reserved for the heir to the throne.
The elaborate ceremony underscored William’s growing role within the monarchy, showing the seamless continuation of royal tradition from father to son. With Charles attending as Sovereign for the first time, the service marked a symbolic passing of the torch—while Harry’s absence was impossible to ignore.
William and Charles processed through the Great West Door of the Abbey in full regalia, while Harry faced headlines questioning his ties to the very family his name represents.
More Than Just a Name?
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry has tried to carve out a new path. From his explosive interviews to his memoir Spare, he’s pulled back the curtain on his royal upbringing. Still, the notion of changing his last name hits a deeply emotional nerve.
The Mountbatten-Windsor surname was chosen in 1960 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to reflect both sides of their family heritage. It’s the name carried by Harry’s children—Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—and symbolically ties him to the monarchy’s future, even from afar.
Yet some royal watchers believe adopting “Spencer” could have been a touching tribute to Diana—a woman many believe Harry still tries to honor in every decision.
But timing is everything, and for many, this latest move feels more like rebellion than reverence.