The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have once again captured global attention, this time with the joyous announcement of their third child’s birth. Prince Harry confirmed late last night that Meghan has given birth to a healthy baby boy — a younger brother for Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
The news alone would have been cause for celebration, but it is the name the couple chose for their new son that has left royal watchers around the world stunned. According to Harry, the little prince has been given a name so steeped in symbolism and controversy that it has already sparked intense debate on both sides of the Atlantic.
A Joyful Arrival
The Sussexes’ spokesperson confirmed the baby was born in California earlier this week. “Both mother and child are doing well,” the statement read. “The Duke and Duchess are overjoyed to welcome their son into the world, and Archie and Lilibet are delighted to have a new baby brother.”
Friends say Harry was by Meghan’s side throughout the delivery and has been “radiating joy” ever since. The couple, who have long emphasized their desire to build a loving and private family life away from the strictures of the monarchy, are said to be savoring this moment with even greater appreciation.
“Harry couldn’t stop smiling,” one close friend revealed. “Becoming a father for the third time has given him a renewed sense of purpose.”
The Name That Shook the Palace
But while the news of a new Sussex baby was warmly received, the name chosen for him has triggered gasps worldwide. Harry and Meghan announced their son will be called Spencer Charles — a direct tribute to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana (born Diana Frances Spencer), and his father, King Charles III.
The combination of names is being described as “explosive,” “provocative,” and “deeply symbolic.”
“Spencer is a powerful choice,” royal biographer Sarah Langford explained. “It cements Diana’s legacy in Harry’s family in the most visible way possible. Pairing it with Charles signals both defiance and reconciliation — it’s Harry saying: ‘I carry my mother with me, but I also acknowledge my father.’”
Royal Reaction: Silence and Speculation
Buckingham Palace has so far declined to comment on the name, but insiders suggest the choice has stirred complex emotions. For William, the future king, it may be a bittersweet moment.
“William has always wanted to preserve Diana’s memory carefully, without politicizing it,” one palace aide remarked. “For Harry to name his son Spencer puts Diana back at the very center of the narrative — and some in the family will find that uncomfortable.”
As for Charles, the decision to include his name is seen as both a peace offering and a challenge. “It’s hard to imagine Charles not feeling moved,” Langford noted. “But pairing his name with Spencer is like stitching two legacies together — the mother who shaped Harry’s heart, and the father with whom he has long had tension.”
Public Reaction: A Storm of Emotion
Online, the reaction has been swift and divided. Hashtags #BabySpencer and #SussexSurprise trended within hours of the announcement.
“Harry has just honored his mother in the most beautiful way,” one supporter wrote. “Diana’s spirit lives on.”
But others were less charitable. “This is pure theatre,” one critic posted. “Harry and Meghan know exactly what they’re doing by invoking Spencer. It’s a calculated move to stir emotions.”
Still, even critics admitted the name had struck a chord. Within hours, candlelit vigils in Diana’s memory were spotted outside Kensington Palace, as admirers left notes welcoming the child who now bears her family name.
Meghan’s Role
Though much of the focus has been on Harry, friends say Meghan played an integral role in the decision. “She wanted a name that reflected Harry’s journey,” a source close to the Duchess explained. “Spencer was her way of showing she understands what Diana means to him — and to the world.”
At the same time, adding Charles was seen as Meghan’s attempt to build a bridge. “She didn’t want the name to look like a rejection of the royal family,” the source added. “Including Charles was deliberate. It was about balance.”
A Family of Five
For Archie and Lilibet, the arrival of their baby brother has already transformed family life. Neighbors say the children have been spotted helping decorate the Sussex home with balloons and banners.
“Archie is very proud to be a big brother again,” one family friend said. “He was practicing how to hold the baby doll for weeks.”
The Sussexes are said to be determined to keep their children’s lives private, but Harry has hinted that fatherhood has been his greatest joy. “I never understood unconditional love until I became a dad,” he told a close confidant. “Now, with three children, that love feels multiplied.”
What This Means for the Monarchy
While Harry and Meghan remain outside the core working royal family, their every move continues to reverberate in Britain. By choosing such a loaded name, the couple have once again ensured their actions cannot be ignored.
“This isn’t just about a baby name,” Langford stressed. “It’s about memory, reconciliation, and the constant tug-of-war between past and present in the House of Windsor.”
Some analysts argue the name could even soften relations between Harry and his father, providing common ground at a time when the monarchy is navigating change. Others believe it will only deepen divides with William, who has often clashed with Harry over how Diana’s legacy is invoked.
A Future Written in a Name
For now, though, the Sussexes appear focused only on their newborn. “They’re cocooned in happiness,” one friend said. “Harry has what he’s always wanted — a family of his own, filled with love.”
Whether Spencer Charles becomes a symbol of healing or further division, his arrival has already etched itself into royal history. In a single name, Harry has honored his mother, acknowledged his father, and ensured that his son carries the weight — and hope — of two of the monarchy’s most powerful legacies.