Did you know Prince Harry’s real name? (stock image) (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Prince Harry’s real name isn’t actually Harry, and royal fans are only just learning what it really says on his birth certificate.
The Duke of Sussex is celebrating his 40th birthday today (Sunday, September 15). Admirers have been taking to social media to share well-wishes, and it has prompted some to notice what the former member of the Firm is actually called.
Meanwhile a third chimed in: “I just learned Prince Harry (or anyone in the royal family) does not possess a last name, nor born with one. Wild,” while a fourth agreed: “Prince Harry isn’t called Harry?!”
The Prince even made a joke about the confusion his name can cause. At the WellChild Awards earlier this year, he said: “My name is Henry, but everyone calls me Harry. I have no idea.”
While Harry nowadays is often used as a name in its own right, it was originally used as a nickname for Henry. In Medieval England, Harry was used as the “spoken form” of the name.
Prince Harry’s real name can be seen on son Archie’s birth certificate ( Image: Twitter)
The Telegraph previously reported Harry went by Captain Harry Wales during his military service, as his father, King Charles, was the Prince of Wales at the time. He also uses Mountbatten-Windsor as a surname after the late Queen Elizabeth II declared any royal in need of a last name had permission to adopt the name.
His children, Archie and Lilibet, also use Mountbatten-Windsor and the surname is included on their birth certificates along with their respective middle names, Harrison and Diana.
