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Royal Surnames: The Hidden Mountbatten-Windsor
8 Apr
Summary
- Royal family adopted surnames starting with George V in 1917.
- Mountbatten-Windsor became official surname for descendants in 1960.
- Children of Harry and Meghan use Mountbatten-Windsor surname.
Members of the British royal family are typically identified by their official titles rather than surnames. This practice shifted in 1917 when King George V adopted the surname Windsor.
In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip established a distinct surname for their direct descendants, opting for Mountbatten-Windsor. This surname combines Prince Philip's adopted name with the Windsor legacy, applying to descendants excluding those with the style of Royal Highness and unmarried female members.
The surname Mountbatten-Windsor first appeared officially on Princess Anne's marriage register in 1973. Lady Louise Windsor, born in 2003, was notably listed with this surname.
More recently, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, Archie and Lilibet, were given the Mountbatten-Windsor surname. However, in 2023, they began using "Sussex" as their family name, as mentioned by Meghan Markle.
Historically, Prince William and Prince Harry used "Wales" as their surname during their schooling. This tradition continues with William's children, who were registered as "Cambridge" and now use "Wales" at school, reflecting their parents' current titles.
