Why Queen Elizabeth II ‘gave in’ to Prince Philip’s complaints over royal family name
The surname debate has resurfaced recentlyQueen Elizabeth II once ‘gave in’ to Prince Philip’s complaints over the royal family name, marking a huge change, a new book has claimed.
According to the royal family’s official website, members of family who are titled HRH prince or princess don’t actually require a surname.
However, if at any time they do, they use Mountbatten-Windsor. And, unless Prince William chooses to change the rules when he becomes king, his future grandchildren will share the surname.
However, this wasn’t always the case. The royal family surname was previously Windsor on its own. But the change reportedly came when Queen Elizabeth II accepted Prince Philip’s request to have his surname included for their children.
Queen Elizabeth II ‘gave in’ to Prince Philip’s complaints over royal family name
In his new book, Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, royal author Tom Quinn revealed why the late queen changed the rule.
When she took to the throne in 1952, she confirmed the royal family name of Windsor.
But, apparently, Prince Philip was annoyed that their children would automatically take his wife’s surname, and that he wouldn’t get to contribute to their family name. And so after time, the new rule came into place.
The queen eventually gave in to his complaints and added the name Mountbatten to the family name, Windsor.
Tom wrote: “Prince Philip complained that he was the only man in the country who did not have the traditional male right to give his children his surname.”
Before marrying the queen in 1947, Philip’s title was Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. However, when he became a British citizen months before his marriage to the queen, he went by the name Philip Mountbatten.
Tom went on to say in his book: “The queen eventually gave in to his complaints and added the name Mountbatten to the family name, Windsor.”
This change brought us to the surname they have today – Mountbatten-Windsor.
Meghan Markle reveals Sussex name
Recently the royal family surname became a topic of conversation after Meghan Markle referred to herself as Meghan Sussex.
Meghan and husband Prince Harry were given their Sussex title after they tied the knot in 2018. Despite stepping away from their working life in 2020, they have kept their duke and duchess titles.
During the second episode of her Netflix cooking show With Love, Meghan, the duchess explained to her friend Mindy Kaling that she isn’t a Markle anymore.
Meghan said: “It’s so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m a Sussex now. I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me. But it just means so much to go, ‘This is our family name. Our little family name.'”
Her comments sparked much confusion among fans, who questioned whether Harry and Meghan had officially changed their surname to Sussex. However, the couple haven’t confirmed this.
So it seems no matter the year, the royal family surname still causes much debate.
Read more: Prince Harry’s clapback at King Charles over decision to not allow Meghan Markle at queen’s deathbed
What do you think of Queen Elizabeth II changing the royal family surname for Prince Philip? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsiderOfficial.
