Prince Harry's 'real name' and the reason he chooses not to use it

Rebecca Russell, Alycia McNamara, JORGE SOLIS Thu, September 17, 2026 at 4:02 AM UTC

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Prince Harry's real first name is Henry (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry was widely regarded as one of the most cherished members of the Royal Family prior to his departure from royal duties in 2020.

Born in 1984, the prince was given a different name at birth, and few people were aware. However, the world knew him simply as Harry. Choosing a name for a new royal baby is no straightforward task. Nearly every royal name carries at least one connection to previous members of the monarchy. When Prince Charles (before he was crowned king) and Diana, Princess of Wales, welcomed their second son, they selected a name that perfectly honored royal tradition.

At birth, he was given the full name Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales. The revelation comes amid Prince Harry and Meghan making their craziest demand yet.

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Meanwhile, it was immediately announced that he would go by Harry.

The prince is far from the only member of his family to go by a different name.

Prince Harry in 1985 (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle, best recognized for her portrayal of Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits, was christened Rachel Meghan at birth, yet has always been known by her middle name.

The pair first met in 2016 and wed in 2018, before stepping back from their royal responsibilities in 2020.

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The couple recently returned to the United Kingtom, accompanied by their two children.

There have been other royals who have used different names, reports the Express.

King George VI, father of the late Queen, ascended to the throne following his brother's abdication in 1936.

The widely admired king guided Britain through World War II alongside figures such as Sir Winston Churchill. Notably, his birth name was Albert.

Prince Harry lived in Montecito, California, with Meghan Markle and their two children (Image: Getty)

Born in 1895, he was given the name Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, in honor of his great-grandfather, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Queen Victoria similarly opted for a different regal name upon ascending to the throne. She held the record as Britain's longest-reigning monarch until our current Queen surpassed her on September 9, 2015.

Born Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent on May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace, she is widely believed to have chosen to reign as Victoria because she disliked the name Alexandrina.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”