Prince Harry is reportedly considering a dramatic change—dropping his Mountbatten-Windsor surname in favor of his mother Princess Diana’s maiden name, Spencer.

According to a friend, the Duke of Sussex is eager to further separate himself from his royal lineage and sees adopting the Spencer name as a step in that direction.

Royal followers reacted swiftly to the news, with many showing strong support for the change—and just as many expressing disdain. Some even said Harry “wouldn’t be missed” if he went through with it.

Earl Spencer Reportedly Urged Caution

According to the Daily Mail, Harry reached out to his uncle, Earl Spencer, for advice. A friend told the paper, “They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step.” Despite the warning, speculation about the name change has only intensified.

Public Poll Divides Opinion

As the rumor spread, the Daily Express launched a reader poll on June 2–3, 2025, asking whether Harry should be allowed to change his surname. Out of 2,992 participants, 52% (1,564 votes) supported the idea, while 43% (1,281 votes) were against it.

The poll’s comment section saw an influx of passionate responses. One user wrote, “Name change and a permanent FO. Won’t be missed!” Another commented, “Sounds like [Harry] really does want to distance himself from the royal family.” On the other side, a supporter joked, “Good idea. Send him a deed poll, someone.” Meanwhile, one commenter dismissed the entire move, saying, “So delusional. He actually believes that he is missed and that someone will be upset.”

Critics Weigh In on Social Media

The news, first reported by Daily Mail royal editor Richard Eden on X (formerly Twitter), quickly drew further criticism online.