To not know this...

[amillionpawpatrolslater]

Aibu to not have realised that Prince Harry’s real name is Henry?
And Meghan’s real name is Rachel?
I’m mid 30s and never knew that Harry was a nickname.
Mind blown.

I only found out as my husband asked me if I was going to watch Henry and Rachel get married. I was tres confused.

The Queen's uncle, Edward VIII (the one who abdicated) was known in the family as David. I think it was one of his middle names.

I've always known that Prince Harry's real name is Henry. I remember when he was born in September 1984 the announcement saying that he was going to be called Henry and thinking that it was my DDad's name,although he too was never referred to as Henry,he was always called Jack,a diminutive form of John (back in the 1920s anyway) which was his middle name. I hadn't realised that Megan's real name was Rachel though. I prefer that to Meghan!

Sometimes a 'diminutive' can be longer than the original name. Cf. Mary/Polly.

Lots of people were apparently surprised by this in 2012 when Prince Henry was announced during the Olympics closing ceremony. Or the Paralympics opening one or whichever it was.

It was weird to me that people don't know this because Harry to me is clearly a nickname and a royal isn't ever going to have a nickname officially.

Harry is also short for Harold.

I thought this was universally known but YANBU- there's probably loads of things I ought to know but I don't!

I wonder if she’s always been known as “Meghan” from birth or if it was the name she chose when she started acting.
I’m so uncultured not knowing about Harry/Henry, but I’ve never really watched a lot of sport and I was only 2 when he was born so missed the birth announcement!

@DappledThings exactly my thoughts, although I presumed differently, that he must be called Harry, as the Royals wouldn’t use nicknames officially!

Harry is a standard nickname for Henry just like Jack/John, Daisy/Peggy/Margaret etc

It’s not that unusual to be known by your middle name. I have several friends who have never used their first names.

Boris Johnson doesn't use his first name which is Alexander - his sister Rachel always refers to him as Al.

So in private life he's Al and in public life he's Boris - the name has become part of his "brand"!

So is Boris his middle name?
Another one I knew nothing about!

Harry isn't 'short' for Henry. It's an affectionate diminutive. I confess I always thought this was common knowledge.

Coverage of Meghan Markle has included the fact that her name is Rachel Meghan Markle almost from the start, iirc.

I think the Queen Victoria case is different in that she was known as Alexandrina (or Drina) until she became queen, but chose Victoria as her regnal name and changed to 'Victoria' in personal life too once she became queen.

I met someone once who had sons called Harry and Henry
I know a Jacob James. Also a family with a Michelle and a Michael.

I'm sure I heard that Charles isn't his first name either, or did I dream it? Off to google

OK must have dreamt it
Rumours he might change his name on coronation because of the bad associations of the first two King Charles. You'd think the Queen would have thought that one through when he was born as next in line for the throne?

I know brothers called Harry and Henry

Traditionally it would have helped avoid confusion with names passed down through families so Dad is John, son also called John but known as Jack. Over time people now use the pet names as stand alone although I know on mumsnet it’s often advised to put a proper name on birth certificate in case dc wants to be a judge.

So at their wedding will it be “do you take Henry”...”do you take Rachel”?

We have discovered quite a few old family members were called completely different names. Uncle Fred was actually Glen (not even his middle name). Great Auntie Mauds real name was Enid (again not her middle name). They are dead now so we can’t ask why.

I genuinely thought Harry was called Harold. Couldn't give a shiny shit about Megan (nor Henry for that matter).

yes amillionpawpatrolslater his full name is Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson!

Cry God for Harry, England and St George......Henry V.....

Charles won't be Charles when he is king.

I didn't know it either OP