Prince Harry’s real name—yes, it’s not actually Harry.
In case you need a refresher, the eldest of the Sussex children, born on May 6, 2019, was officially named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. He and his sister, Lilibet, received their titles before their grandfather, King Charles, took the throne in 2022.
But here’s where things get interesting. When father Harry signed the birth certificate—later obtained by Harper’s Bazaar—he didn’t sign as Prince Harry. Instead, he wrote: “His Royal Highness Henry Charles Albert David Duke of Sussex.”
Henry? Yep, you read that right.
It turns out that in English tradition, Henry has long been shortened to Harry. Even Henry VIII—the infamous king with a penchant for beheading—was casually called Harry by those close to him.
That said, Prince Harry himself once admitted he has no idea why his parents gave him a different name in the first place.
The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle. pic.twitter.com/zdaHR4mcY6
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) November 27, 2017
During a past conversation with a child named Henry at the WellChild Awards, he shared—according to Entertainment Tonight: “My name is Henry as well. But everyone calls me Harry.”
He then confessed: “I have no idea why.”
The same name was officially used when his engagement to Meghan was announced in November 2017.
At the time, the palace released a statement that read: “His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle Are Engaged to Be Married.”
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