Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly contemplated changing their children’s last name after facing significant delays in obtaining passports for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. According to a recent report by The Guardian, the Sussexes were pushed to frustration after British officials took nearly six months to issue travel documents—far exceeding the typical three-week processing period.
Passport Delays Spark Family Name Discussions
Sources close to Harry and Meghan revealed that the delays appeared intentional, connected to the couple’s use of their HRH titles and the Sussex surname on the passport applications. This prolonged holdup prompted the Sussex legal team to take action, threatening to file a data subject access request. Such a request could have forced officials to disclose internal communications regarding the delays.
At one point, overwhelmed by the ongoing obstacles, Prince Harry reportedly discussed adopting the Spencer surname—his late mother Princess Diana’s maiden name—in a private meeting with his uncle, Earl Spencer.
Mixed Reports About Earl Spencer’s Support
While The Daily Mail recently reported that Earl Spencer advised against the name change, sources close to the Sussex family have dismissed this claim as “completely untrue,” confirming the Earl was open to the idea.
The surname change consideration reportedly came during a moment of “sheer exasperation” as Harry grappled with the passport issues, which were seen by insiders as more than bureaucratic delays.
Sussex Family and Royal Relations
The passport saga is just one of many challenges the Sussex family has faced since stepping back from royal duties. Meanwhile, tensions remain high within the royal family, with recent reports revealing Prince William’s disapproval of Harry’s actions towards King Charles.
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan declined to comment on the passport and family name issues, emphasizing the privacy of matters related to their children.
