Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Children Now Officially Have Royal Titles
ADVERTISEMENT
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Children Now Officially Have Royal Titles
It is believed that the royal titles for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will be used in formal settings and not in everyday use.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children officially have royal titles! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter was christened in a private ceremony in California on Friday. Lilibet Diana was baptized by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor, according to a statement from the couple, reports NPR. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told PEOPLE, "I can confirm that Princess Lilibet was christened on Friday, March 3 by the bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor." This was the first time the couple's child was referred to by her royal title. Both children have remained a plain "master" and "miss" on the Buckingham Palace website for the past six months but that is likely to change soon.
ADVERTISEMENT
The children have remained a plain "master" and "miss" on the Buckingham Palace website for the past six months but that is likely to change soon. Three-year-old Archie and 1-year-old Lili will now be called Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Lilibet Diana's name pays tribute to the late Queen's childhood nickname as well as Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.
Diana Princess of Wales (1961 - 1997) and Prince Charles with newborn Prince Harry, leave St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, UK, 16th September 1984; Diana wore an outfit designed by Jan Van Velden. (Photo by Steve Wood/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told PEOPLE on Wednesday, "I can confirm that Princess Lilibet was christened on Friday, March 3 by the bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor." This was the first time the couple's child was referred to by her royal title. "The children's titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch," the spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the outlet. "This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace." The royal titles will be used in formal settings and not in everyday use.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor at a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images)
ADVERTISEMENT
Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana were afforded the titles of prince and princess based on a 1917 rule established by King George V that 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." The children were not given royal titles when they were born as Queen Elizabeth II was still on the throne and Harry isn’t the firstborn child of King Charles. Prince William and Kate Middleton's three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis did.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (C), accompanied by their parents Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at Lambrook School, near Ascot on September 7, 2022 in Bracknell, England. (Photo by Jonathan Brady - Pool/Getty Images)
As for Harry he absolutely loves being a father and in fact, believes his kids inherited his famous red locks from Princess Diana's side of the family. The 38-year-old appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert where the host showed Harry and Meghan's 2021 Christmas card to audiences, which featured their first public photo as a family of four. It was hard to miss the kids' striking hair which was as bright as their dad's. "Here's another lovely family photo. Your daughter, Lilibet, your son, Archie, of course, your wife, Meghan. Your daughter Lilibet is named in her honor," the 58-year-old host said, referencing Harry's grandmother late Queen Elizabeth II. "Having children helps us remember those that we've lost. Do you see your mother or your grandparents in any of your children?"
ADVERTISEMENT
Queen Elizabeth II speaks with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex as they leave after the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor to Thomas Kingston at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 18, 2019 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
"Definitely my mum. The ginger gene is a strong one!" the Duke of Sussex quipped. "Look at that. Both of them are redheads," Colbert pointed out. "The Spencer gene is very, very strong," Harry said talking about his mother's side of the family. "I actually really, genuinely thought at the beginning of my relationship [with Meghan] that should this go the distance and we have kids that there's no way the ginger gene will stand up to my wife's genes, but I was wrong! Go gingers," he added.
Share on Facebook