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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have thought it through before changing their Kids’ last name, but insiders believe they disregarded one important detail about Prince Philip. The Sussexes recently announced a change in their Kids’ surname from Mountbatten-Windsor to Sussex, sparking backlash. More than the wrath of the royal family though, the couple’s decision seemingly dishonors the late Prince Philip, who fought to have his descendants bear his name under the British monarchy decades ago.
Harry and Meghan’s New Last Name for Their Kids Disregards Prince Philip
Royal expert Ingrid Seward weighed in on this last name change, admitting the decision would have left the late Prince Philip enraged. According to her, the monicker, Mountbatten had a special significance for the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April 2021. Hence, he certainly would want his great-grandchildren and upcoming generations to bear the name. Doing otherwise is an utter disregard of Prince Philip’s wishes.
In fact, Ingrid believes that the late Prince Philip, even in death, would turn in his grave to learn that his grandson Prince Harry changed his kids’ last name to Sussex. Additionally, this move would further distance the Duke of Sussex and his kids from the rest of the royals. The royal expert divulged,
“Harry professed to respect and love the Duke of Edinburgh and I am sure he did and always will, but this latest debacle would make Philip turn in his grave.”
In the statement published on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s website Sussex.com, the couple revealed their decision to adopt a new last name was a means to unify their family. However, many argue the move would only do the exact opposite.
The History of Mountbatten
The name Mountbatten-Windsor dates back to 1960, eight years after Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne. History has it that the late Prince Philip felt aggrieved that his kids would never bear his last name after their mom became queen. The prince reportedly considered it emasculating that they would instead bear the Queen’s surname, Windsor.
To bridge the gap, elder statement Winston Churchill and Secretary Tommy Lascelles convinced Queen Elizabeth to combine both names. Hence, the surname, Mountbatten-Windsor was born. The agreement at the time was that all male-line descendants of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip would answer the surname. The only exceptions were those born princes and princesses. Ingrid added,
“How sad, therefore, that only three generations later, Harry should so blatantly disregard his grandfather’s wishes and effectively abandon the family name for which Philip had fought.”
Notably, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to have their kids go by Archie and Lilibeth Sussex, aside from dishonoring Prince Philip, also breaches their agreement with Queen Elizabeth. The late Queen reportedly told the couple to desist from using their royal titles for financial gains following their step back from royal duties.
By changing the domain name of their official website to Sussex.com, some royal experts believe they went back on their word. However, the Sussex royals deem it the best way of ensuring unification in their family of four by having one name that encompasses them all for the first time. For now, all the world sees is a couple slowly making their royal titles into a brand name. In any case, time will tell.
