The Real Reason Prince Phillip Wanted To Change The Family Name

Today, Prince Harry's son and future children will likely all carry the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. But, in the 1950s, that looked like a long shot. After eight years of tension and the Duke's rumored extra-marital affairs, the Queen announced her decision to formally change the name of her descendants to Mountbatten-Windsor, Good Housekeeping notes. But, some connected to the royal family still use the singular name, Windsor, according to Town and Country.

Mountbatten-Windsor denotes the descendants of Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth, while Windsor refers to all family members descended from George V. That way, the royal couple didn't need to change the name of the house and still retained the name Mountbatten for their children. The reason that it's so rare is that those with official titles often don't use a last name. "For the most part, members of the Royal Family who are entitled to the style and dignity of HRH Prince or Princess do not need a surname," according to the royal family's website. "But if at any time any of them do need a surname (such as upon marriage), that surname is Mountbatten-Windsor."

That's why Prince William's children have different last names than their cousin Archie. Prince Harry chose to forgo a title, thus his name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. In the world of titles, there are rules that trip up even the most seasoned of royal experts!