In case you weren’t aware Prince Harry’s full name is Prince Henry Charles Albert David – not Prince Harry even if that is what the public, his family and friends have taken to calling him
You probably didn’t know but Prince Harry isn’t Prince Harry, that’s not his real name, his real name is actually quite different.
While Harry has been used for Prince Harry’s entire life, on more formal occasions his real name Henry is used. When the Prince’s wedding to Meghan Markle was announced the Palace’s statement read: “His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle Are Engaged to Be Married.”
Meghan and Harry recently made them and their two children’s official surname Sussex (
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(Image: Getty))
In a chat during the WellChild Awards Harry also joked about being called Harry and not Henry, he also said he wasn’t sure why he wasn’t called Henry when taking a question from a child called Henry. Harry said: “My name is Henry, but everyone calls me Harry. I have no ideas.”
There isn’t really a reason why Prince Harry is called Harry and not Henry by virtually everyone, despite what’s on his birth certificate, it’s a bit of a mystery. However, according to Metro, the name Henry derives from the Old French name Henri, and over time (during the medieval period) the English version – Harry – started to be used over here. Most monarchs called Henry were referred to by those who knew them as Harry, including Henry VIII.
It’s not only Harry who has more than one name, the real name of Meghan Markle is Rachel Meghan Markle
Harry has several names, and he can use them as and when needed. When he served in the military he was known as Captain Harry Wales according to the Telegraph, because of Charles then being Prince of Wales. But “Mountbatten-Windsor” is also available to him if he needs it thanks to the Queen declaring that when members of the royal family need a last name, that should be their go-to.
It’s not only Harry who has more than one name, the real name of Meghan Markle is Rachel Meghan Markle. She shares her birth name with the character that made her famous in Suits – Rachel Zane. Meghan uses her middle name professionally and that’s what most people know her as now.
After Archie’s birth in 2019 on his birth certificate, the couple were referred to as Harry, “His Royal Highness Henry Charles Albert David Duke of Sussex” and Meghan as “Rachel Meghan Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex”. However, a month after his birth things were changed on the birth certificate. The amendment dropped “Rachel Meghan” from the Duchess’s title and referred to her only as “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex.” Meghan and Harry recently made them and their two children’s official surname Sussex, with a source telling The Times they did so to “unify” the family.
