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Prince Harry Competes Under ‘Harry Wales’ Surname at Aspen Polo Match
Prince Harry opted for a more casual identity last week while competing in the St. Regis Snow Polo Championship in Aspen. According to an exclusive report from NYC Faces, the Duke of Sussex chose to drop his royal titles for the star-studded event.
“Harry was introduced as Harry Wales, with no royal title mentioned ever or anywhere,” an insider revealed. The source explained that the Duke was focused on enjoying the sport with his close friend, professional polo player Nacho Figueras, stating, “He was there to play polo with his best friend Nacho. No titles, just fun.”
A Low-Profile Appearance
Despite being surrounded by high-profile celebrities—including Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Colman Domingo, and Shaun White—Harry reportedly sought to avoid media attention. While he played openly on the field, security teams strictly prevented photographers from approaching him during his off-field downtime.
The History of ‘Harry Wales’
While Harry and Meghan Markle officially use “Sussex” as their family surname, the name “Harry Wales” is a nod to his past. Born His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales, he used the surname Wales during his ten-year career in the British military. This followed the royal tradition of using a father’s territorial designation (at the time, his father was the Prince of Wales) as a last name.
The Controversy of Royal Titles
The decision to use his former military name is notable given the couple’s history with their titles:
- 2018: Queen Elizabeth II named them the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
- 2020: After stepping back as working royals, they agreed to stop using the “HRH” (His/Her Royal Highness) style.
- Current Status: The couple still uses “Duke and Duchess of Sussex” on their official web branding. Meghan Markle has previously shared on her podcast that using “Sussex” as a family name—shared with children Archie and Lilibet—is deeply meaningful to her.
Despite ongoing public debate regarding their titles, Harry remains firm on keeping them. During a 2023 interview with Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, Harry was asked why he and Meghan hadn’t renounced their titles, to which he simply replied, “And what difference would that make?”
There have also been rumors circulating since last June that Harry briefly considered adopting his mother’s maiden name, Spencer, as a way to distance himself further from the royal family, though no official change has ever been made.