Royal fans' confusion as Prince Harry introduced with 'Wales' name
There's been confusion over Harry's surname for some time nowRoyal fans were left baffled this week after an announcer appeared to call Prince Harry by an old name.
As he attended the 2025 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen, Colorado, the prince was introduced to the audience as “Harry Wales” on three separate occasions.
However, some fans thought he has gone by the surname “Sussex” since his marriage to Meghan Markle.
‘Please welcome: Harry Wales!’
In a clip of the event, shared on social media, Prince Harry was welcomed out onto the polo field with the words: “At number one, please welcome: Harry Wales!”
Later on, after finishing up in second place, the Duke of Sussex’s team were invited up to receive their prize.
The announcer called out: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please welcome onto the podium the runners-up of the 2025 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championships. Please give it up for Aspen Valley Polo Club: Harry Wales, Grant Ganzi and Nic Roldan.”
What is Prince Harry’s surname?
It becomes slightly complicated when it comes to royal family’s surname. According to the official royal website, members of the royal family often don’t use a surname.
However, it states: “For the most part, members of the royal family who are entitled to the style and dignity of HRH Prince or Princess do not need a surname, but if at any time any of them do need a surname (such as upon marriage), that surname is Mountbatten-Windsor.”
From 1960 onwards, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip decided that their descendants would use Mountbatten-Windsor as a surname. This combined the Windsor surname with Philip’s last name, Mountbatten.
Meghan and Harry’s children, Archie and Lilibet, have Mountbatten-Windsor listed on their birth certificates.
However, earlier this year, Meghan seemed to confirm that the family now use the surname Sussex. Of course, after marrying, Harry and Meghan became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They have kept their titles despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
Meanwhile, during his military career, Prince Harry went by the surname “Wales” as his father, King Charles, was Prince of Wales at the time.
‘Did I just hear that correctly?’
Naturally, many royal fans were left confused this week by the use of the prince’s old surname.
“‘Harry Wales’ Did I just hear that correctly? I thought it was Sussex???” came one confused tweet.
Another person likewise commented: “Whaaaat??!! He isn’t Prince William’s son! The Prince of Wales is William! Harry hasn’t been Wales since he was given the new Titles by HMTLQ on his wedding day with the main being the Duke of Sussex… So he’s going by his old name now instead of sharing Sussex with his kids?!”
Another person pointed out: “He hasn’t been called that since he was in school or the military. Odd.”
A fourth person also agreed: “He’s not Harry Wales though. His father is no longer Prince of Wales.”
Royal Insider contacted representatives of Prince Harry for comment on this story. They told us: “I think it was a simple mistake and of course the Duke was not at all bothered.”
Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘to produce Netflix romcom’ of The Wedding Date book
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