Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s newborn baby daughter Lilibet is not yet entitled to be a princess, just like her brother Archie is not entitled to be a prince. But the Sussexes’ kids could one day become a princess and prince, as they will be entitled to HRH styles when Charles becomes king and they become the grandchildren of a monarch.
For now, though, days-old Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who is eighth in line to the throne, and her two-year-old brother Archie, who is seventh in line, do not have official royal titles. Meghan, 39, had sensationally and incorrectly suggested her toddler son Archie was denied his “birthright” title of prince because he is mixed race.
But the complex rule was set out more than 100 years ago by George V. The tradition stems from Harry’s great-great-grandfather, George V, when he issued a Letters Patent in 1917.It read: “…the grandchildren of the sons of any such sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of dukes of these our realms.”
Only Prince George – as a great-grandson of the monarch down the direct line of succession to the throne – was originally entitled to be a prince. He is the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. The Queen stepped in ahead of George’s birth to issue a Letters Patent to ensure the Cambridges’ eldest child would have a title even if they were a girl and the change ensured their other children would also be given a prince or princess title.
Princess Charlotte would have been a Lady and Prince Louis a Lord had the Queen not intervened, and they would have not been HRHs. But they are the children of a future monarch, whereas Lilibet and Archie are not, and the Sussex children will move down the line of succession if the Cambridge children have their own families.
Eventually Archie will be entitled to succeed Harry as the Duke of Sussex and it’s expected Archie and Lilibet will be given titles when Prince Charles becomes king. But it is possible that Lilibet and Archie will never have royal title. Like Princess Anne with her children Peter and Zara, Meghan and Harry, 36, could refuse titles for their children.
And royal experts have said it is possible Charles, who reportedly prefers a “slimmed down” monarchy, could issue his own Letters Patent to restrict the HRH styles to the heir to the throne and their immediate family. In her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, Meghan claimed any decision not to make Archie a prince would go against convention, as she expressed shock at being told he would not get security and the idea of him “not being safe”.
Eventually Archie will be entitled to succeed Harry as the Duke of Sussex and it’s expected Archie and Lilibet will be given titles when Prince Charles becomes king.But it is possible that Lilibet and Archie will never have royal title. Like Princess Anne with her children Peter and Zara, Meghan and Harry, 36, could refuse titles for their children.
“It’s not their right to take it away,” she added. Oprah asked in the televised tell-all: “Do you think it’s because of his race? I know that’s a loaded question.” Meghan replied: “In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we (had) the conversation of he won’t be given security, he’s not going to be given a title.
“And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.” “It’s not their right to take it away,” she added. Oprah asked in the televised tell-all: “Do you think it’s because of his race? I know that’s a loaded question.”
Meghan replied: “In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we (had) the conversation of he won’t be given security, he’s not going to be given a title. “And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”
In a message of thanks on their Archewell website, Harry and Meghan said: “On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili.
“She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. “Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.” The Sussexes’ press secretary confirmed the baby had been named Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
She added: “Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.
“Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty the Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. “Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, the Princess of Wales.” Harry and Meghan, who live in suburban Los Angeles, are now on parental leave, their website said.
