Prince Harry's Last Name: Understanding the Royal Family's Nomenclature

Prince Harry, a prominent figure in the British Royal Family, has a last name that often sparks curiosity. While he is known as "Prince Harry," his official last name is not simply "Harry." This article delves into the intricacies of the royal naming conventions and explains the various last names associated with Prince Harry.
1. **Mountbatten-Windsor:** This is the official surname of the British Royal Family. It was adopted in 1960 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to acknowledge both their respective family names (Mountbatten and Windsor).
2. **Wales:** Prince Harry was known as "Harry Wales" during his time in the Royal Air Force and his military career. This reflects his father's title, Prince of Wales.
3. **Windsor:** This name is often used interchangeably with Mountbatten-Windsor and is considered a more traditional option. It stems from the House of Windsor, the reigning royal family of the United Kingdom.
4. **Mountbatten:** This surname belongs to Prince Philip's family and was originally adopted by the royal family upon the Queen's ascension to the throne. However, due to political sensitivities, it was later replaced by Mountbatten-Windsor.
5. **Spencer:** This surname is associated with Prince Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. While not officially used by Prince Harry, it remains significant due to his mother's legacy.
6. **Sussex:** Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have used "Sussex" as their chosen surname. This refers to their official title, Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
7. **Cambridge:** This name is associated with Prince Harry's older brother, Prince William, who is the Duke of Cambridge. While not directly related to Prince Harry, it represents a significant branch of the royal family.
8. **York:** This name is linked to Prince Harry's uncle, Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Similar to Cambridge, it represents another branch of the royal family.
9. **Wessex:** This name belongs to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and his wife Sophie. Like the other names, it signifies a distinct lineage within the royal family.
10. **Gloucester:** This surname represents a branch of the royal family led by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
11. **Kent:** This name is associated with Prince Michael of Kent, another member of the royal family.
12. **Argyll:** This surname is connected to Princess Anne's husband, Timothy Laurence, who is a member of the aristocracy.
13. **Bowes-Lyon:** This name refers to Queen Elizabeth II's mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who was the Queen Mother.
14. **Windsor-Clive:** This surname reflects the family name of Prince Harry's great-grandmother, Lady Mary Windsor-Clive.
15. **Stratheden:** This name refers to Prince Harry's great-great-grandmother, Lady Elizabeth Stratheden.
16. **Drumlanrig:** This surname represents a branch of the Scottish aristocracy and is connected to Princess Alexandra, a cousin of the Queen.
17. **Gloucester:** This name refers to Prince Harry's cousin, Prince George of Gloucester.
18. **FitzClarence:** This surname belongs to Prince Harry's ancestor, William, 1st Earl of Munster, who was an illegitimate son of King William IV.
19. **Cumberland:** This name is associated with Prince Harry's ancestor, King George III, who was the father of King George IV.
20. **Hanover:** This surname was used by the British royal family before the House of Windsor. It refers to the German lineage of the royal family.
21. **Stuart:** This name refers to the Scottish royal family that ruled England and Scotland before the Hanoverians.
22. **Tudor:** This name represents the English royal family that ruled between the 15th and 17th centuries.
23. **Plantagenet:** This name refers to a powerful dynasty that ruled England from the 12th to the 15th centuries.
24. **Norman:** This name denotes the Norman conquerors who invaded England in 1066.
25. **Saxon:** This name signifies the Anglo-Saxon people who inhabited England before the Norman conquest.
26. **Anglesey:** This name refers to a Welsh county where some of Prince Harry's ancestors lived.
27. **Bertie:** This is a nickname associated with Prince Harry's great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII.
28. **George:** This name reflects the name of several British monarchs, including King George III, who was Prince Harry's ancestor.
29. **Victoria:** This name represents Queen Victoria, a significant figure in British history and Prince Harry's great-great-great-grandmother.
30. **Albert:** This name was used by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria and Prince Harry's great-great-grandfather.
31. **Elizabeth:** This name is significant because it is the name of Queen Elizabeth II and her mother, the Queen Mother.
32. **Charles:** This name represents Prince Harry's father, Charles, Prince of Wales.
33. **Diana:** This name is associated with Prince Harry's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
34. **Meghan:** This name is linked to Prince Harry's wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
35. **Archie:** This name refers to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
36. **Lilibet:** This name is used for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
37. **Spencer-Churchill:** This name is associated with Prince Harry's great-grandfather, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was a descendant of the Spencer and Churchill families.
38. **Mountbatten-Jefferson:** This name is connected to Prince Harry's great-grandmother, Lady Mary Mountbatten-Jefferson.
39. **Smith:** This name refers to Prince Harry's ancestor, Mary Smith, who was the mother of Queen Victoria.
40. **Campbell:** This name is associated with Prince Harry's great-grandmother, Lady Pamela Mountbatten, who was married to the 11th Duke of Argyll.