After years of speculation and rumor, Buckingham Palace has finally revealed the true identity and royal status of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This formal confirmation ends persistent debates about their place within the British royal family and the line of succession.
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Archie and Lilibet, born in 2019 and 2021 respectively, became entitled to the titles of prince and princess by right of birth when their grandfather, King Charles III, ascended the throne following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. Despite their parents stepping back from senior royal roles and moving to the United States, the royal titles remain their birthright under the 1917 Letters Patent issued by King George V.
The palace clarified that the Sussex children are sixth and seventh in line to the throne, directly following Prince Harry, who is fifth in line. Although they hold these titles, Archie and Lilibet currently live private lives outside the UK and do not perform official royal duties. This reflects the modern balance the monarchy is trying to strike between tradition and adapting to new family dynamics.
The decision to publicly confirm and recognize their royal status follows years of rumors fueled by the Sussexes’ distancing from royal life, questions about legal documents, and media speculation about their titles and security.
The revelation was accompanied by updates to the royal family’s official website, listing them as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. Their names also honor important family legacies, with Lilibet named after Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood nickname and Princess Diana, while Archie’s name pays homage to Scottish ancestors.
In summary, Buckingham Palace’s long-awaited acknowledgment settles doubts about Archie and Lilibet’s royal identities, affirming their place in the lineage and defining their distinctive roles within the evolving British monarchy