Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have officially welcomed their daughter, Lilibet Diana, into the world and now, many are pondering the question: What will their daughter’s official title be?
While Duchess Catherine and Prince William’s three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ titles seemed like a done deal from day dot, things aren’t so clear-cut when it comes to Harry and Meghan’s brood.
What will Harry and Meghan’s daughter’s royal title be?
Harry and Meghan will likely chose to forgo giving Lilibet, who was born on June 4 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California, a title – this taking into consideration what happened with their first child, Archie.
As the royal rules stand now, their daughter will be eligible to use the title of Lady, however upon deeper investigation, it looks as though she’ll forgo this and go by “Miss”, like her big brother Archie, who goes by “Master”.
Harry and Meghan’s eldest son Archie is a “master”.
(Getty)
The reason we look into this further is that Harry and Meghan actually didn’t necessarily choose to forgo Archie’s royal title back when he was born in 2018.
Per their interview with Oprah Winfrey almost two years on, the pair explained that while they were initially cautious about giving their eldest son a title, they later found out that Archie would not be eligible for security if he didn’t take one on.
Meghan didn’t clearly state whether this was a clincher for her and her husband to give Archie a title, though it appears their desires may not have mattered either way.
Meghan claimed in the interview that while the rules technically stipulate that Archie is eligible to use Harry’s subsidiary title, the Earl of Dumbarton, the Palace told her they wanted to “change the convention for Archie.”
Meghan said she was particularly concerned given her son would be the first royal of colour in the family, yet wouldn’t be “titled in the same way as other grandchildren would be.”
The Duchess didn’t necessarily choose to forgo Archie’s title.
(Getty)So it appears Master and Miss appear to be the go for Archie and Lili for now, however that is subject to change when Prince Charles becomes King.
Given Archie and his sister would be grandchildren (as opposed to currently being great-grandchildren) to the reigning Monarch, they would become eligible for HRH titles.
In that sense, the Harry and Meghan’s newborn daughter could take up the title ‘Her Royal Highness Princess …’, and Archie could take the title “His Royal Highness Prince Archie.”
The Sussex children may still take up an HRH title.
(Getty)When all is said and done, even if Archie and Lilibet never take up royal titles, they certainly wouldn’t be the first in the family to do so.
Zara and Mike Tindall also share three young children, Mia, seven, Lena, two and Lucas, who is two months old – all three do not have royal titles, as decided by their parents.
And of course, they will always share a bond with their other regally titled cousins George, Charlotte and Louis – a title doesn’t change who your family is after all.
Want more on Harry and Meghan’s royal baby? Check out the stories below!
She’s here! Duchess Meghan & Prince Harry announce the birth of their second child – a baby girl!
Meghan’s psychic connection with Princess Diana – could that have influenced the name?
This time around, Duchess Meghan is going where no other royal has gone with her maternity style
Meet the Markles: The other non-royal side of Baby Sussex’s family
The fascinating story of Archie and Lili’s US-based grandma: Doria Ragland
Get ready to swoon: A definitive timeline of Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry’s love story
