Baby Lilibet and Archie Will Receive Royal Titles When Prince Charles Ascends the Throne
According to British Royal Family guidelines, Prince Harry’s two children can’t have royal titles under the Queen’s rule. However, that could change when the monarch’s son becomes king.
On June 4, 2021, Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry welcomed their second child, a daughter named Lilibet “Lili” Diana. The child became the youngest member of their family after son, Archie Harrison, 2.
The two children currently don’t have royal titles even though they were born into royalty. The boy and girl were both introduced to the world with the last name Mountbatten-Windsor.
Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry after their visit to Canada House during their stay in Canada, on January 7, 2020, in London, England | Photo: Daniel Leal-Olivas WPA Pool/Getty Images
According to People magazine, Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandchildren can’t be princes or princesses under current guidelines. However, there’s an exception for the children of the eldest son of Prince Charles.
That’s why Harry’s older brother, Prince William, and his wife, Duchess Kate’s children have titles. Their three children are Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and the lastborn Prince Louis.
However, things might change for the Sussex children when Charles becomes king when the Queen dies. The Sussex children might finally become Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The titles will be given to them because they will be the children of the king's son. The rule that has worked against Harry and Meghan’s children was established by King George V.
In 1917, he issued a Letters Patent. The patent stated that the grandchildren of the sons of any sovereign in the direct male line would enjoy all the perks and titles enjoyed by the children of dukes.
The only exception mentioned was that of “the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.” He also said grandchildren of the sovereign had the right to be upgraded to the style of “His” or “Her Royal Highness.”
Under George V’s original rules, Prince George would’ve been the only Cambridge child legally called a Prince. Charlotte and Louis were supposed to go by Lord and Lady Mountbatten-Windsor.
Luckily, the Queen changed the rules in 2012. However, according to the managing editor of “Majesty” magazine, Joe Little, whether the children get titles will depend on Meghan and Harry.
Diana is the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild, and she’s eighth in line to the throne after her brother, Archie, who is seventh. Their father, Harry, is sixth in line, while William is second after Prince Charles.
In a March 2021 tell-all interview, the Sussexes gave the impression that part of the reason their son didn’t get a title was that he was of mixed race. Archie could not get security because he didn’t have a royal title.
In another case, Princess Beatrice’s baby will reportedly receive a royal title at birth. This contrasts with her younger sister, Princess Eugenie, whose new son, August, doesn’t have one.
Marrying Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Beatrice became an Italian Countess, and their child will inherit the title of Cont or Nobile Donna, according to “Cosmopolitan UK.” Eugenie is married to someone who doesn’t have a title.