In a shocking new twist to the ongoing royal saga, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly considered changing their children’s surname to Spencer — a move that would have distanced them further from the royal family — amid suspicions that King Charles III was deliberately delaying Archie and Lilibet’s passport applications due to the inclusion of “HRH” titles.

The revelations, detailed in a royal insider report that has taken social media by storm, suggest that tensions between the Sussexes and Buckingham Palace may have been even more strained behind the scenes than previously believed.

A Royal Rift Deepens

The Sussexes, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California, have long been at odds with the institution they once represented. According to sources close to the couple, frustration began to build in late 2023, when passport applications for Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, appeared to stall for months — with no official explanation.

Meghan and Harry allegedly suspected that the delay stemmed from the inclusion of the children’s “HRH Prince” and “HRH Princess” titles on official documents, which they argue are their children’s birthrights as grandchildren of the monarch.

The Spencer Solution?

Faced with mounting obstacles and fears of bureaucratic stalling from the Palace, the couple is said to have briefly considered changing their children’s last names to “Spencer”, a tribute to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, whose maiden name was Spencer.

One insider claimed:

“Harry felt that if the Palace wanted to play games over titles, they could take the high road — by embracing Diana’s name, rather than clinging to royal labels. It was a bold and emotional proposal, deeply symbolic of his loyalty to his mother and his frustration with his father.”

Although the couple ultimately did not proceed with the name change, the fact that it was considered at all reflects the deepening personal divide between the Duke of Sussex and King Charles.

The HRH Title Controversy

The use of “His/Her Royal Highness” titles has long been a point of contention. When Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles, they agreed not to use the HRH style themselves. However, after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of King Charles III, their children technically became eligible for the “Prince” and “Princess” titles under royal protocol.

In March 2023, the Sussexes confirmed that their daughter had been baptized as “Princess Lilibet Diana”, publicly asserting the children’s titles for the first time — a move that was met with mixed reactions from royal watchers.

But according to sources, the inclusion of these titles on the children’s U.S. passport applications may have sparked a bureaucratic standoff between the Sussexes and the Palace, with King Charles reportedly resisting their use in any official documentation not under the Crown’s direct purview.

A Palace Reaction?

While Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the allegations, sources within the royal household have pushed back on claims of intentional interference, suggesting that passport issues are “a matter for the relevant authorities” and not something that would be micromanaged by the King himself.

Still, the controversy underscores the ongoing mistrust between the Sussexes and royal officials. “Whether or not Charles personally intervened, Harry and Meghan clearly feel that roadblocks are being placed in front of them — deliberately,” one royal commentator observed.

Symbolism and Sentiment

The idea of using the Spencer surname also holds emotional weight. Diana Spencer, Harry’s beloved mother, died in 1997 when he was just 12 years old. Over the years, Harry has often spoken of his bond with her and how her legacy guides his decisions.

Choosing “Spencer” as a surname would have been a dramatic gesture — signaling not just a rejection of the royal establishment, but an embrace of a more personal, maternal heritage. It would also echo Harry’s long-standing criticism of the monarchy and his desire to forge a new path, free from what he has called the “invisible contract” between the Palace and the press.

Public Reaction

The public’s response to the latest revelations has been sharply divided. Some have applauded Harry and Meghan for standing up for their children’s rights and refusing to be dictated to by royal convention. Others have accused them of “playing the victim” and exploiting their royal ties for attention, while also trying to distance themselves when convenient.

Social media platforms lit up with debate, with #Spencer trending for hours. One user tweeted:

“Naming the kids Spencer would have been a power move — Diana would be proud.”

Another replied:

“If they want privacy and freedom, why keep clinging to the titles?”

What Happens Next?

While no official name change has occurred, the episode adds fuel to the ongoing royal drama that shows no signs of cooling down. Whether Archie and Lilibet will continue to use their royal titles in public life remains uncertain — as does the long-term relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.

For now, the idea of “Prince Archie Spencer” and “Princess Lilibet Spencer” remains hypothetical — but it’s a reminder that the legacy of Princess Diana still looms large over the next generation of royals.