Claims Duke’s uncle opposed idea labelled ‘completely untrue’ by insiders
Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly considered changing their family surname after facing months of passport delays for their children, according to a new report from The Guardian.
Sources close to the Sussexes claim British officials repeatedly stalled the issuance of travel documents for their children, Archie and Lilibet — a process that ultimately took six months, far exceeding the usual three-week timeframe.
Insiders allege the delay stemmed from the use of HRH titles and the Sussex surname on the applications. Though passports were eventually granted, they came only after the couple’s lawyers threatened legal action. A letter warned officials that a data subject access request could expose internal discussions regarding the prolonged holdup.
At what was described as a moment of “sheer exasperation,” Harry reportedly raised the idea of adopting the Spencer surname — in honour of his late mother Diana’s family — during a face-to-face conversation with his uncle, Earl Spencer.
"Harry was at a point where British passports for his children… were being blocked with a string of excuses," a source told the outlet.
Though a separate Daily Mail report claimed Earl Spencer had advised against the change, Sussex insiders have dismissed this as “completely untrue.” The Earl was said to be open to the idea.
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex declined to comment, stating only: “We do not comment on private issues pertaining to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s children.”
