Prince Harry is reportedly thinking about switching his family’s last name to Spencer. The announcement follows the record delays seen to get UK passports for his two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are understandably frustrated. During almost 6 months of waiting, they’ve been navigating complex waters of royal titles and the legal challenges erasing their children’s identities.
Prince Harry’s plight has escalated. He recently lost a legal challenge to limit the taxpayer-funded security protection he is entitled to while in the UK. He does plan to appeal this ruling, claiming that he has been “singled out” and his safety is threatened. This sentiment is compounded by his belief that his mother, Diana, might still be alive today had she received the same security protection as other royals.
The couple worry that the continued passport holdup is linked to their kids’ names, as HRH (His/Her Royal Highness). To prevent further trouble, they are looking at using the last name Spencer instead. Until 2023, Prince Archie carried US and UK passports under the Mountbatten-Windsor name. Yet, as things became more complicated, the family found themselves frustrated by complications that have arisen since.
“We do not comment on private issues pertaining to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s children.” – A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex
According to sources close to the Sussexes, there has been a “clear reluctance” from UK officials. As a result, they have been unwilling to issue the children passports. For the last five months, Prince Harry has faced numerous bureaucratic obstacles in obtaining new passports documenting their new collective surname, Sussex. This has been the case since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
“Harry was at a point where British passports for his children with their updated Sussex surnames were being blocked with a string of excuses over the course of five months.” – a source
The typical UK passport application processing time is estimated at three weeks. This only renders the long delay all the more puzzling. With public furor mounting, Prince Harry confided in his mother’s brother—Earl Spencer.
“Out of sheer exasperation he went to his uncle to effectively say: ‘My family are supposed to have the same name and they’re stopping that from happening because the kids are legally HRH, so if push comes to shove, if this blows up and they won’t let the kids be called Sussex, then can we use Spencer as a surname?’” – The Guardian
Earl Spencer is the first not to weigh in on this. According to the Post, he recommended not proceeding with a name change due to the expected legal challenges. A spokesperson from the Home Office appeared to reaffirm their decades-old policy. They don’t comment on specific cases.
In addition to these complications, Prince Harry’s legal struggles concerning security have heightened concerns for his family’s safety during visits to the UK. His application for enhanced security was unanimously dismissed by three senior judges at the court of appeal. They argued that he had not been treated unfairly and had not been “singled out” for worse treatment.
Prince Harry and Meghan have a lot of issues, and they wholeheartedly fight for their family’s entitlements. Simultaneously, they navigate the expectations of their royal legacy with their newfound freedom and life in the United States. The ongoing saga surrounding their children’s passports adds another layer to their complex relationship with royal protocols and public perception.