After years of speculation and controversy, Buckingham Palace has finally clarified the true identities and royal status of Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The official confirmation came after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, when their grandfather King Charles III ascended the throne in 2022, granting them the titles of prince and princess by birthright according to a Letters Patent issued by King George V in 1917.
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Archie and Lilibet are officially sixth and seventh in line to the British throne respectively, a fact now clearly reflected on the royal family's official website. While previously referred to as Master Archie and Miss Lilibet, their titles were updated following formal recognition, settling long-standing questions about their status amid Harry and Meghan’s departure from senior royal duties and move to California.
The palace emphasized that although Archie and Lilibet hold royal titles, they do not use the style His or Her Royal Highness (HRH), because Harry agreed to forgo this styling when stepping back from official royal roles in 2020. This nuanced distinction allows them to carry royal status while living a largely private life outside the United Kingdom.
Earlier this year, Meghan and Harry publicly announced Princess Lilibet’s christening in California, acknowledging her princess title for the first time. The family's decision reflects the delicate balance between royal tradition and the Sussexes’ desire for privacy and independence.
In conclusion, Buckingham Palace’s formal acknowledgment of Archie and Lilibet as prince and princess ends years of uncertainty, confirming their rightful places in the royal succession and clarifying their unique position within the modern British monarchy.