Buckingham Palace has finally revealed the true identities and official royal titles of Archie and Lilibet, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children. Following King Charles III’s ascension to the throne in September 2022, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor automatically received the titles of Prince and Princess, respectively. These titles come with the style "His Royal Highness" and "Her Royal Highness," reflecting their place as the grandchildren of the reigning monarch.
Despite this entitlement being established by a Letters Patent issued by King George V in 1917, which grants royal titles to male-line grandchildren of the sovereign, the official announcement of Archie and Lilibet’s titles was delayed. For a time, they were referred to as Master Archie and Miss Lilibet on Buckingham Palace’s website. While the Sussexes initially refrained from using these titles publicly, their children’s titles were acknowledged by Prince Harry and Meghan during Lilibet’s christening in March 2023.
The Sussex family spokesperson confirmed that the children’s royal titles have been their birthright since Charles became King, and these matters have been settled in alignment with Buckingham Palace. The timing of the public acknowledgment appeared to be influenced by the Sussexes' personal choices and their distance from royal duties, as they have retired as senior working royals and reside in California.
Archie and Lilibet now officially rank sixth and seventh in the line of succession to the British throne, respectively, following Prince Harry, who is sixth. This official recognition ensures their place in the royal family's future while reflecting the complexities of modern royal life.
In summary, Buckingham Palace’s formal acknowledgment confirms Archie and Lilibet’s status as Prince and Princess, solidifying their roles within the monarchy despite the Sussexes’ divergence from traditional royal responsibilities.[1][2][4]