The Duke and Duchess of Sussex considered changing their family name to Spencer due to prolonged delays by British officials in issuing passports for their children, The Guardian reported.
The idea, described as an act of “sheer exasperation,” was discussed in a face-to-face meeting between Prince Harry and his uncle Earl Spencer, who was reportedly “enthusiastic and supportive.” The proposal, using Princess Diana’s maiden name, would likely have worsened tensions with the royal family.
However, the issue became moot after UK passports for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were issued nearly six months after the original applications—days after the Sussexes’ lawyers threatened legal action through a data subject access request, which could have exposed internal discussions about the delay.
A source told The Guardian that the Sussexes suspected foot-dragging by UK officials due to the inclusion of HRH titles on the applications and the use of the surname “Sussex.” Previously, Archie’s passports bore the name Mountbatten-Windsor.
“There was clear reluctance to issue passports for the kids,” said a source close to the Sussexes. They cited “technical issues” that delayed the process for months, despite the standard wait time being three weeks. After attempting the 24-hour passport service, their meeting was cancelled last-minute due to a “systems failure.”
“The king hadn’t wanted Archie and Lili to carry the titles, most of all the HRH, and the British passports, once created, would be the first and perhaps the only legal proof of their names,” said the source. “Out of sheer exasperation, [Harry] went to his uncle to effectively say: ‘My family are supposed to have the same name… if they won’t let the kids be called Sussex, then can we use Spencer as a surname?’”
Harry reportedly wants to retain the HRH titles so his children can choose later whether to be working royals. He and Meghan gave up the title in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties.
A Mail on Sunday report claimed Earl Spencer opposed the name change, which a source called “completely untrue.”
The Guardian received no response from Earl Spencer, while the Home Office and Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the passport matter. However, the Palace denied influencing the titles used.
In May, Harry lost a court appeal over reduced taxpayer-funded security, which he plans to challenge, believing his mother’s fate might have been different with royal protection.
Source: The Guardian
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