Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly made changes to the names of their two children, Archie and Lilibet, sparking renewed public interest in the couple’s evolving relationship with the royal family and their personal identity choices.
According to recent reports, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have updated official documents or public records to reflect modified or clarified versions of their children’s names. While exact details remain limited, sources suggest that the changes were not drastic but rather symbolic or stylistic — possibly involving the order of names, the inclusion of middle names, or even removing references to royal titles.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, born in 2019, and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, born in 2021, originally carried names that honored both personal and royal heritage. Lilibet, in particular, was named after Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood nickname, while Diana honors Prince Harry’s late mother. However, since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have taken deliberate steps to distance themselves and their children from the formalities of royal life.
The reported name changes are seen by many as part of that ongoing effort. It could reflect their desire to raise their children as private citizens in the United States, rather than as public figures tied to the British monarchy. The move has sparked speculation about their intentions — whether to protect their children’s privacy, reassert control over their family narrative, or simply align more closely with their values.
As of now, Buckingham Palace has not commented on the matter, and Harry and Meghan have not made a formal public statement regarding the changes.
