The Surnames of Harry and Meghan: Untangling Royal Naming Conventions

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married, they brought with them a rich legacy of surnames and titles that have intrigued and fascinated the public. What is Harry and Meghan’s last name, you may ask? While these royal couple have a array of options, their choice and the official registry of their children have some interesting insights.

The Family Style and 'Mountbatten-Windsor'

Under the Royal Family naming conventions, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are officially listed with the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. This name, first introduced by Queen Elizabeth II in 1960, was chosen to honour Prince Philip, the consort of Elizabeth II, by appending his nominal last name to the existing Windsor name.

Harry and Meghan's Naming Options

Harry and Meghan have several options to consider when it comes to their surnames:

Prince Harry: As a prince, he doesn’t need a surname. Harry Sussex: He can also use his title as a surname. Princess Harry: Meghan can adopt Harry’s surname as her own. Mountbatten-Windsor: This is their legal last name.

Legal and Social Nuances

Legally, the surname Mountbatten-Windsor is important, especially for their children who need a consistent and official surname for legal and official documents. However, in day-to-day life and the media, they are often referred to as Harry and Meghan or the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Harry's Titles and Surnames

Harry, as a royal, does not usually use the surname in formal contexts, despite Polo match occasions. Although he uses Wales in Polo, it would be more traditional to use Sussex Windsor or Mountbatten-Windsor.

Harry's official title is Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, though he is often simply referred to as Prince Harry.

Meghan's Titles and Surnames

Meghan, as the Duchess of Sussex, retains the name given by royal convention, which allows her to take Harry’s surname under English common law. She holds the title Princess Henry Charles Albert David and is known as Princess Harry.

Children's Surnames

For their children, the situation is more nuanced. Since the Sussexes have chosen not to style their son with a courtesy title for the time being, he is officially known as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Hence, the children use the Mountbatten-Windsor surname for legal purposes, with the potential for future styling by their father.

Future Naming Conventions

Once Charles takes the throne, Harry and Meghan’s children, if not styled as princes or princesses, will still carry the Mountbatten-Windsor surname. This means that in legal contexts, stables, and official documentation, the family will continue to use Mountbatten-Windsor for consistency.

Conclusion

In summary, the decision to use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor is a strategic and practical choice for Harry and Meghan, especially considering the future changes in their titles and the legal requirements for their children. This choice ensures consistency and avoids the complexity of multiple surnames in a changing royal landscape.