Deborah Chan
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, have been in the news recently for changing their children's surnames. Archie and Lilibet, who were previously known as Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, will now be referred to as Archie and Lilibet Sussex. This change has brought attention to the royal family's naming conventions and has sparked curiosity about whether Prince Harry's name will change after his wedding. While it is unclear if Prince Harry's name will change, it is worth noting that members of the royal family often adopt surnames based on their parents' titles, and it is possible that Prince Harry may choose to use the surname Sussex in the future, similar to how his children now share the same surname as their parents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official name before the wedding | His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales |
| Surname before the wedding | Wales, Mountbatten-Windsor |
| Title after the wedding | Duke of Sussex |
| Surname after the wedding | Wales, Mountbatten-Windsor, Sussex |
| Name of wife after the wedding | Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex |
| Name of children | Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor |
| Name preference after leaving royal life | Harry |
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What You'll Learn
Prince Harry's surname before marrying Meghan Markle
The royal family has a history of adopting different surnames. While the royal family does have a surname, they don't typically use it. Instead, they primarily go by their first names. In the rare cases where a last name is required, the official surname is Mountbatten-Windsor. However, Prince Harry used a different surname before marrying Meghan Markle.
When Harry and his brother William were at school, they were known as William Wales and Harry Wales, respectively. At the time, their father, now King Charles III, was the Prince of Wales. In his military career, Harry used Wales as his surname and was known as Captain Harry Wales.
Harry was originally styled "His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales". On the morning of his wedding to Meghan Markle, Queen Elizabeth II granted him the Dukedom of Sussex, the Earldom of Dumbarton, and the Barony of Kilkeel. He thus became known as "His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex". He uses the earldom in Scotland and the barony in Northern Ireland.
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Meghan Markle's surname after marrying Prince Harry
Meghan Markle's name after marrying Prince Harry is a bit of a complicated topic. The royal family's naming practice is not straightforward, and members of the royal family can be known by different names. They can be referred to by the name of the Royal House or by a surname, which are not always the same, and often they do not use a surname at all.
Meghan Markle's official title after marrying Prince Harry is Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Duchess of Sussex. She will never be a princess in her own right, but she can be referred to by the royal title in reference to her husband, i.e., HRH Princess Henry of Wales.
Meghan can also take ''Mountbatten-Windsor' as her surname, as Prince Harry's official last name is Mountbatten-Windsor. However, considering royals tend to be known only by their first names, it is unlikely that Meghan will be addressed by that surname very often. She could also choose to take ''Sussex' as her surname, as it is the name of the Royal House.
In terms of official documents, Meghan's name change will make things a bit tricky. For example, it will be interesting to see how passports are handled, as she cannot become a legal resident of the UK for five years after marriage.
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Prince Harry's new title after marrying Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018 was a highly-publicized event, with the world watching as the couple exchanged vows and became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Queen granted Harry a royal dukedom on his wedding day, as is tradition, and he became known as the Duke of Sussex. Meghan, as his wife, received the title of Duchess.
Before the wedding, Prince Harry's official name was His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales, and he used Wales as his surname for military purposes, going by the name Captain Harry Wales in such contexts. Meghan, on the other hand, was known by her birth name, Rachel Meghan Markle, and did not have a royal title.
After marrying into the royal family, Meghan's official title became Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex, and while she could take the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, it is unlikely that this would be used frequently as royals tend to be known only by their first names. Meghan has stated that she and her children share the surname Sussex, which is also the name by which she refers to herself, even after stepping away from royal duties.
Prince Harry, on the other hand, has expressed a desire to be known simply as ''Harry' after stepping back from his senior royal role. This evolution of his public moniker makes sense, given that he has had various nicknames throughout his life, including 'Spike' from his brother William, 'Hazza' from friends, and 'H' from Meghan.
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Meghan Markle's new title after marrying Prince Harry
When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, she became an official member of the British royal family. However, her marriage to Prince Harry did not grant her the title of princess, as only women born into the royal family hold that title. Instead, Meghan Markle was given the title Duchess of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II on her wedding day. Together, the couple is known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Prior to their wedding, there was much speculation about what Meghan Markle's new title would be. Many assumed that she and Prince Harry would be granted new royal titles during their wedding ceremony, following the protocol from the royal wedding in 2011 when Kate Middleton married Prince William. Kate Middleton received the title of Duchess of Cambridge to go along with the dukedom granted to Prince William by Queen Elizabeth. Similarly, it was speculated that the vacant Dukedom of Sussex had been reserved for Prince Harry, which would make Meghan Markle the Duchess of Sussex.
Although Meghan Markle cannot be a princess in her own right, she can still technically be referred to as a princess if it is in reference to her husband. For example, she can be referred to as Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Wales, as Henry is Prince Harry's formal name.
In 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped back from their working royal roles. Although they retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, they cannot use their His/Her Royal Highness titles in public or for commercial purposes. Despite this, the British monarch cannot take away their royal titles.
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The surname of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children
The official surname of Prince Harry is Mountbatten-Windsor. However, as his father was the Prince of Wales, Harry can also use 'Wales' as a surname. For instance, he used 'Wales' as his surname for military purposes and was known as 'Captain Harry Wales' in such contexts.
Upon marrying Prince Harry, Meghan Markle could take on the surname 'Mountbatten-Windsor'. However, considering that royals are typically referred to by their first names, it is unlikely that Meghan will be addressed by her surname very often. Markle will likely only add 'Duchess of Sussex' to her name, a dukedom Prince Harry was granted on their wedding day.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have two children, Archie and Lilibet. When Archie was born, the couple announced his full name as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. However, after the coronation of King Charles III, Archie and Lilibet's official titles became Prince and Princess of Sussex. The family has since adopted 'Sussex' as their surname.
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Frequently asked questions
Before his wedding, Prince Harry was known as Prince Henry of Wales, or Harry Wales when in the military or at school.
After his wedding, Prince Harry was given the title Duke of Sussex by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Harry is still known as the Duke of Sussex, even after stepping away from royal duties.
Prince Harry's last name is Mountbatten-Windsor, but his children use the surname Sussex.
