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According to a fresh story by The Guardian, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pondered altering their family's surname after months of being denied passports for their children.
The couple was pushed to the verge as British officials repeatedly delayed obtaining travel permits for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, resulting in delays of nearly six months rather than the customary three weeks.
According to sources close to the Sussexes, the holdup looked purposeful because the applications included their HRH titles and the Sussex surname.
Passports were ultimately issued, but only after attorneys representing Harry and Meghan threatened legal action. Solicitors allegedly wrote a letter warning that they will submit a data subject access request, potentially exposing British authorities' private deliberations over the delays.
During a face-to-face chat with his uncle Earl Spencer, Harry is reported to have considered taking the Spencer surname (Diana's maiden name), expressing "sheer exasperation," according to sources.
"Harry was at a point where British passports for his children… were being blocked with a string of excuses," one informant told the newspaper.
The Earl was apparently amenable to the idea, despite The Daily Mail reporting this week that he recommended against it — a remark sources close to the Sussexes now declare "completely untrue."
A representative for the Duke of Sussex declined to comment, stating, "We do not comment on private matters involving the Duke and Duchess of Sussex' children."
