Harry and Meghan explored changing surname to Spencer amid children’s passport delays

Exclusive: source says couple feared unexplained wait was due to king's opposition to their children bearing HRH title

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex explored the idea of changing their family name to Spencer amid repeated delays by British officials to issue passports for their children, the Guardian has been told.

The suggestion was a result of sheer exasperation" and came during a face-to-face meeting between Prince Harry and his uncle Earl Spencer. He was understood to be enthusiastic and supportive of the name change.