Meghan and Harry's Kids Archie and Lilibet's Royal Titles Won't be Decided Until After Queen's Mourning
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth on Thursday, September 8, a great deal changed immediately for the royal family. Many of their titles switched, most notably with the succession of King Charles III. Prince William and Kate Middleton became the Prince and Princess of Wales, leaving behind being the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges. While Prince Harry and Meghan remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, their children Archie and Lilibet have been elevated.
What are Archie and Lilibet's new royal titles after the Queen's death? Why haven't their titles been changed on the royal family website?
The children, aged three and one, are now technically a Prince and a Princess as well since their grandfather ascended the throne. According to Hello! Magazine, these rules were established by King George V in 1917 and they made it official that children of the son of a sovereign may use a his or her royal highness title “should they wish.”
The children are a bit too young to wish either way, but people have still been wondering why their title has not been update on the royal website though the Wales' had their names changed. William and Kate's children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were also listed as “of Wales,” just like mom and dad. Archie and Lilibet are still considered “Master” and “Miss” on the site.
What has the King said about Lili and Archie's titles?
Nothing officially, but on Saturday, September 10, the King's spokesman said in a statement that their names will be updated “as and when we get information.”
Will Archie and Lili get HRH titles as prince and princess?
There is a chance King Charles III could deny Lili and Archie HRH titles, even while letting them have prince and princess titles. Harry, of course, lost his HRH title when he stepped back from a senior working royal family member. As a source told The Sun this week, Meghan and Harry want their kids to have HRH to give them royal protection security, which is taxpayer-funded, while in the U.K.
“Harry and Meghan were worried about the security issue and being prince and princess brings them the right to have certain levels of royal security,” a source said. “There have been a lot of talks over the past week. They have been insistent that Archie and Lilibet are prince and princess. They have been relentless since the Queen died. But they have been left furious that Archie and Lilibet cannot take the title HRH. That is the agreement—they can be prince and princess but not HRH because they are not working royals.”
Page Six reports that Charles won't make any decision on the kids' new titles or anyone else's until the official mourning period for the Queen ends on September 26.
Why did Kate and William's children immediately get their titles updated but not Meghan and Harry's children?
The information that allowed Kate and William and their family to have updated titles came from the monarch himself, who announced in a speech that they would be the Prince and Princess of Wales. In the same speech, he expressed his love for Harry and Meghan, but did not mention titles.
The spokesperson said on Saturday, September 10, “While the website was updated for the Waleses, clearly updating love on a website doesn't quite work so we've not quite done that but clearly he does love them. We will be working through updating the website as and when we get information.”
He did not confirm or deny that Archie and Lilibet were entitled to their titles whatever language the King uses while addressing the nation, only adding, “At the moment, we're focused on the next 10 days and as and when we get information, we will update that website.”
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