When Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry announced the name of their newborn son as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, it would be safe to say the world fell even more in love with our youngest royal.
It was mere hours after we’d all first clapped eyes on the little one for the very first time as his proud parents officially debuted him.
But there was one thing we did wonder after his glorious name (and adorable face!) was unveiled – will he have a title?
The question is a perplexing one. While Archie’s cousins George, Charlotte and Louis all have titles of Princes and Princess, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen to forgo giving their little one an official royal title.
But eventually, Archie could receive a title later in his life, and it’s all because of one, rather morbid reason.
The explanation? When the Queen passes away, Prince Charles will become King of England, and that changes everything for baby Archie.
As per royal tradition, any child of a son of a king becomes a Prince – hence why Archie may be looking at another title in future.
Prince Archie? We quite like the sound of that!
Will baby Archie receive a royal title? That remains to be seen! (Image: Dominic Lipinski / PA / Getty)
So will baby Archie receive a royal title?
While royal tradition has proved its consistency within the Windsor fold, there is a catch when it comes to giving young Archie an official title.
Just as Harry and Meghan have chosen not to give Archie a title now, they can also choose not to give him the title of ‘Prince’ after Charles becomes king.
Speaking to People, managing editor of Majesty magazine Joe Little said it all depends on what Meghan and Harry want.
He begged the question: “Do they prefer what [Prince] Edward and Sophie have, and not have their children as Their Royal Highnesses with a view to them leading relatively normal lives?”
Little then reasoned by adding: “I don’t think that Baby Sussex will be a Royal Highness at any time in his or her life, why do they need to be? With the immediate core of working royals this child or children are not going to be working members of the Royal Family, so why lumber them with the HRH.”
His comments come without some merit – Meghan and Harry have already made it clear they’re comfortable in parting with some long-standing royal traditions.
Their royal baby debut was case in point. Unlike Diana and Kate, Meghan chose to forgo the traditional photo call on the hospital steps.
Instead, she and Harry asked for some privacy for a couple of days before they made their first appearance as a family of three – an unprecedented move that caught many by surprise.
WATCH: Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry reveal the name of the Royal Baby in grand debut moment. Story continues after video…
Furthermore, the fact that Meghan and Harry have chosen not to give Archie a title now certainly suggests they’ll opt to forgo the option down the track when the time comes.
And Archie certainly isn’t alone when it comes to royal titles within the family.
Princess Anne’s children, Peter and Zara did not receive royal titles despite the Queen extending them courtesy titles.
And their father, Mark Phillips also turned down the title that was offered to him as a gift from the Queen when he married Anne.
Zara has previously said in an interview that her parents active choice to forgo titles had served her well.
“I’m very lucky that both my parents decided to not use the title and we grew up and did all the things that gave us the opportunity to do,” she said.
And for now, it looks like the same might be said for Archie!
Team Sussex has a bright future ahead! (Image: Dominic Lipinski / PA / AAP)
