There are a few traditions when it comes to royal family surnames
Prince Harry and Prince William’s surnames underwent a change after their respective marriages, and it’s left people wanting to know more about how royal names work.
The Royal Family do enjoy changing their surnames around, and while it can be confusing to us common folk, there’s a good reason for it.
For instance, after Meghan Markle corrected Mindy Kaling when talking about her surname, a lot of people were surprised.
The former Suits star appeared on her brand-new Netflix cooking and homemaking show and explained that her last name is Sussex because of her title, the Duchess of Sussex.
For many people around the world, they were not aware that her name had changed to that of her title, or the reason why this happens, so it came as a bit of a shock.
Similarly, a lot of folks aren’t in the know about Harry or William’s surname.
Prince Harry used a different surname before marrying Meghan Markle (Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
While you might have thought it was Mountbatten-Windsor, because of their grandparents, they actually had a totally different name while serving in the UK military.
When the pair were in their 20s, they chose to take the last name ‘Wales’ as King Charles III was the Prince of Wales at the time.
It appears that royals will use their parents’ surnames – which are based on their official titles – until they are given their own.
So, this is why Harry’s is now Sussex, as he is the Duke of Sussex, and William has remained Wales, as he is the new Prince of Wales.
Born William Arthur Philip Louis, you can see how a surname is omitted, and on any official paperwork, he would sign himself off as His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis.
Chosen by his mother, the late Princess Diana, his name has a wonderful meaning.
In the 1992 book Diana: Her Story, it was revealed that Diana declined King Charles III’s picks for their sons.
Prince William also used a different surname (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The book stated that when she was asked who chose Harry’s name, she said: “I did… chose William and Harry, but Charles did the rest.”
She claimed that Charles had wanted to name them Albert and Arthur, but Diana believed those names to be ‘too old’.
Prince Harry was born Henry Charles Albert David, which has shocked a lot of people.
I mean, where’s the Harry in that namesake?
Well, English tradition says that men named Henry have been nicknamed ‘Harry’ and according to Metro, Henry VIII was known as ‘Harry’ by his mates.
However, even Prince Harry doesn’t know why he wasn’t called Harry to begin with if he was to go on being called it.
Speaking previously with a child named Henry at the WellChild Awards, he told the kid – as per Entertainment Tonight: “My name is Henry as well. But everyone calls me Harry.”
He went on to share: “I have no idea why.”
His proper title was used in Harry’s engagement to Meghan which was announced in November 2017.
The official palace statement read at the time: “His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle Are Engaged to Be Married.”
This whole royal surname thing is very interesting.
