Prince Harry's real first name is Henry, not Harry. Born in 1984, he was given the full name Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, but it was announced straight away that he would be known as Harry.
Royal naming tradition
Selecting a name for a new royal baby is not an easy job, as almost every royal name has at least one connection to previous royals. When Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, welcomed their second son, they chose a name that perfectly aligned with royal tradition.
The prince is not the only member of his family to use a different name. Meghan Markle, best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits, was christened Rachel Meghan at birth, but has always been called by her middle name.
Other royals who changed their names
King George VI, the late Queen's father, ascended to the throne following his brother's abdication in 1936. His birth name was Albert – he was born Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George in 1895, named after his great-grandfather, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria also chose a different regnal name when she ascended the throne. She was born Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent on May 24, 1819, at Kensington Palace. It is believed she chose to be known as Victoria because she didn't like the name Alexandrina.
Harry and Meghan met in 2016 and married in 2018; by 2020, they had stepped back from their royal duties. The couple recently made a return to the UK, bringing their two children with them.
