Does Harry and Meghan’s son Archie have a royal title?

IT can indeed be confusing to understand the royal titles and who is entitled to them. Regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son Archie, it’s important to note that his parents had a say in his official title.

When Archie was born in 2019, reports indicated that Meghan and Harry chose not to use a courtesy title for their newborn son. Instead of giving him one of the Duke of Sussex’s lesser titles, such as the Earl of Dumbarton, they opted to simply refer to him as Master Archie.

This decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex meant that their son did not receive a princely title at birth, which is typically the case for the children of a British royal duke. The reasons behind their choice were not officially disclosed, but it was seen as a move towards a more private life for their child.

The decision by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to forgo an official royal title for their son Archie initially signaled their desire for him to be a “private citizen.” However, in a March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess of Sussex expressed her disappointment over the lack of a title for Archie. She alleged that Buckingham Palace actively tried to change the rules to prevent Archie from becoming a prince when Charles ascended to the throne.

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, her son Charles became the new reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. This succession means that Archie and his sister Lilibet are now eligible for royal titles. King Charles III has agreed to issue letters patent, granting Archie the title of prince and Lilibet the title of princess in the future.

The newborn son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not receive the title “His Royal Highness” due to a rule introduced by King George V in 1917. This rule stipulates that only the eldest son of the monarch’s firstborn is entitled to the HRH status, excluding younger sons and daughters.

Reports suggest that this decision has left Prince Harry and Meghan Markle feeling “furious” and concerned about security issues. A source revealed that the couple was adamant about their children, Archie and Lilibet, receiving the prince and princess titles, as it would grant them certain levels of royal security. Discussions on this matter have reportedly been ongoing since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Despite their persistent efforts, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been denied the HRH title for their children, a decision that has allegedly left them feeling deeply frustrated.

The agreement reached with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stipulates that they can hold the titles of prince and princess, but not the designation of “His/Her Royal Highness” (HRH) since they are not working members of the royal family. Obtaining a prince or princess title does not automatically entitle royals to police protection funded by taxpayers. For instance, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s security is no longer covered by public funds. It is reported that the Sussexes pointed out that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie hold HRH status despite not being working royals. The King’s spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. When Harry and Meghan relocated to the United States two and a half years ago, they agreed to forgo using their HRH titles. Notably, in December 2012, before the birth of Prince George, the Queen issued Letters Patent to ensure that all of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children would receive HRH titles, deviating from the traditional protocol.

This situation arises because George is in the line of succession for the throne, prompting the Queen to intervene and grant the title to Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as well. The Letters Patent is a mechanism that allows the sovereign to issue orders without parliamentary involvement. Archie is currently seventh in line to the throne, following his father. He will maintain his position ahead of any future children born to Harry and Meghan, irrespective of gender. Their son is the Queen’s eighth great-grandchild.

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, the son of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, was born on May 6, 2019, at 5:26 am. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduced their newborn baby boy to the world at Windsor Castle, appearing overjoyed and describing him as “amazing.” In contrast to the high-profile post-birth experiences of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Meghan and Harry opted for a more low-key announcement, keeping their son swaddled in a white blanket and hat during the unveiling.

The highly anticipated arrival of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s firstborn child was a joyous occasion. At 37 years old, the new mother radiated elegance in a white dress, standing alongside the beaming 34-year-old Prince Harry, who lovingly cradled their newborn son. Meghan expressed her profound happiness, describing the experience as “magic” and declaring that she had “the best two guys in the world.” She further praised her infant son’s “sweetest temperament,” referring to him as “the dream.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially registered their son’s birth on May 17, 2019, with Meghan listed as a “princess” on the birth certificate. The document revealed that the couple welcomed their child at the prestigious Portland Hospital in London, a private facility renowned for its high-end birthing services favored by celebrities seeking a luxurious experience.