In a surprising turn of events, Lady Louise has emerged as the sole individual retaining Philip Mountbatten’s surname, as Lily and Archie are set to be removed from the family name list.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly contemplating a significant rebrand that involves abandoning the Winsor surname in favor of Spencer, which was Princess Diana’s maiden name.
This unexpected decision has raised eyebrows, especially considering its implications for the late Prince Philip.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been vocal about their desire for a fresh start, particularly following the collapse of their Spotify deal.
Speculation suggests that this rebrand could extend to a new last name, with Mountbatten-Windsor potentially being replaced by Spencer.
This move, if realized, would mark a departure from the legacy of Prince Philip, who adopted the Mountbatten name upon becoming a British citizen in 1947.
After Queen Elizabeth confirmed the royal family name as Windsor following an earlier change from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha due to anti-German sentiments in 1917, a former aide indicated that Philip would have been pleased to see the Mountbatten lineage carried forward by a member of the royal family.
However, Harry and Meghan’s reported intention to distance themselves from Prince Philip’s surname implies a break in continuity for their children, Lilibet and Archie, with their late great-grandfather.
Lady Louise stands out as the beacon preserving the Mountbatten family name for future generations amidst this shift.
As the seventh grandchild of Philip, she holds a unique position in upholding his legacy.
Her significance lies in being the first royal to officially bear the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, ensuring the continuity of the Mountbatten lineage within the royal family.
Despite being shielded from public scrutiny by her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Louise holds a special place in the hearts of the royal family, particularly Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are rumored to be considering a name change to align themselves more closely with Princess Diana, potentially dropping the Sussex title.
The proposed alignment with Diana would involve shedding the Sussex title, a move that signals a deliberate shift in their public image.
Since being bestowed the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex upon their marriage in 2018, Harry and Meghan have navigated various changes, including their children’s adoption of the Mountbatten-Windsor surname.
With their multi-million pound deals faltering, royal author Tom Bauer has hinted at a possible name change for the couple.
Bauer speculated that Meghan’s aspiration to embody Diana’s legacy could lead to both Harry and Meghan adopting the Spencer surname.
This strategic rebranding aims to position them as modern-day incarnations of Harry and Meghan Spencer, echoing the iconic status of Princess Diana.