Royal fans are just learning Prince Harry's real name as Duke of Sussex turns 40

Prince Harry
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Royal fans have made an intriguing discovery about Prince Harry's actual name.

The Duke of Sussex is celebrating his 40th birthday today and tributes have been pouring in for the former working royal on social media. With that, many are discovering his birth certificate doesn't say what they might have expected.

Harry was actually christened Henry Charles Albert David. Unlike most people, he doesn't have a traditional surname either, having gone by 'Wales' during his earlier years and now using both 'Sussex' and 'Mountbatten-Windsor'.

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Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one person said: "PRINCE HARRYS REAL NAME IS HENRY?? wtf," while another agreed: "PRINCE HARRYS REAL NAME IS H E N R Y? " One more person voiced their astonishment, adding: "I just learned Prince Harry (or anyone in the royal family) does not possess a last name, nor born with one. Wild," and another chimed in: "Prince Harry isn't called Harry?!"

Even the prince himself has acknowledged the confusion surrounding his name. During his appearance at the WellChild Awards this year, he said: "My name is Henry, but everyone calls me Harry. I have no idea."

The name Harry does come from Henry, having been used as a short form since Medieval times. Nowadays it is more often used as a standalone name.

The Telegraph previously reported that during his military service, Harry was known as Captain Harry Wales since his father, King Charles, was the Prince of Wales at the time. He also adopted Mountbatten-Windsor as a surname, following Queen Elizabeth II's decree that any Royal requiring a last name could use it.

His children, Archie and Lilibet, also bear the Mountbatten-Windsor surname, which is included on their birth certificates, along with their respective middle names, Harrison and Diana.