The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s children, Archie and Lilibet Diana, will use their royal titles, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the couple this week. This decision follows previous uncertainty surrounding whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would choose to align their children with the monarchy, given the escalating tensions between the Sussexes and the royal family.
When Archie was born, he did not receive a royal title, and it remains unclear whether one was offered by Queen Elizabeth II and declined or not offered at all. Despite this deviation from custom, a royal source informed CNN that Archie would automatically become a prince when his grandfather ascended the throne. Thus, it was hypothesized that the Sussexes’ children would adopt their royal titles at that time.
Lilibet Diana’s lack of an official title upon her birth in 2021 did not generate much fuss, but this week’s statement from the couple’s spokesperson revealed that both Sussex children will use their royal titles. The statement read: “I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the (Bishop) of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor.”
Buckingham Palace did not comment on the matter, but a spokesperson for the couple told CNN that the titles were the children’s “birthright,” adding that the “matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.” A palace source also confirmed that Lilibet’s title followed the precedent established by the 1917 Letters Patent issued by George V, which granted the title of Prince or Princess to the male-line grandchildren of the sovereign.
The royal family’s website has since updated Archie and Lilibet’s titles under the line of succession to the throne. Now listed as “Prince Archie of Sussex” and “Princess Lilibet of Sussex” at positions six and seven, respectively, the United States is now home to the world’s newest prince and princess.
