Prince Harry already received a lot of criticisms after he and Meghan Markle decided to turn their backs on royal life. As if that’s not enough, the Duke of Sussex shocked everyone when it was discovered that he dropped his Royal surname, Mountbatten. A royal expert then claimed that this decision didn't sit well with Prince Philip.
According to the registration documents for a tour firm Travalyst, Prince Harry dropped Mountbatten Windsor and registered as Prince Harry Charles Albert David, Duke of Sussex instead. The younger son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana had always used Mountbatten Windsor, and the sudden change, reportedly, left Prince Philip, who has the surname, Mountbatten, “heartbroken.”
Prince Philip had to wait for a long time to pass the surname, only for Prince Harry to drop it. When Prince Charles was born, World War II was still fresh for the Britons, so the German surname Mountbatten was not given to the future King, which, reportedly, deeply hurt the Duke of Edinburgh.
In 1960, a hybrid surname Mountbatten-Windsor was created to compromise Prince Philip, and it was meant to pass on to his descendants. Years later, Prince Harry and his son Archie took the surname.
But after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal exit, they were banned to use the word “royal” in their future activities. While the Duke of Sussex was not forbidden to use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, it appeared that he decided to ditch his royal roots by not using it on his eco-travel venture.
As for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son Archie, Mountbatten-Windsor was listed on his birth certificate, so he will continue the legacy of Prince Philip’s surname. However, the Duke of Sussex is still allowed to use Mountbatten-Windsor if he wants to since he is not banned from using it in his post-royal activities.
While Prince Philip remained silent regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s withdrawal from senior royal life, a royal expert previously shared that he believes that the Duke of Edinburgh is not too pleased with how the couple did their announcement. Richard Fitzwilliams said that Prince Philip may have taken the whole thing with "a dim view.”
It is worth noting that Prince Philip gave up his career to support Queen Elizabeth, so he may have fully understood Prince Harry’s decision. However, what he may disapprove of is how the couple announced the step back without warning Her Majesty.
Although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been talking with senior royals about their intention to step back since the summer, their announcement blindsided Queen Elizabeth, and Prince Philip may have not appreciated that.
