The aspirations of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their children to be formally recognised by their royal titles appear to have been firmly quashed. Despite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wishes, their son and daughter, Archie and Lilibet, are not expected to be known as Prince and Princess in any official capacity.
This decision, believed to be upheld by King Charles III, means the couple's website, where the children are styled with the titles, is at odds with the official royal stance. The move is seen as a significant indicator of the ongoing rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family.
A Website at Odds with The Palace
Upon visiting the Sussexes' official website, Sussex.com, visitors are immediately greeted with the branding 'Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex'. More notably, their children are referred to as 'Prince Archie Harrison of Sussex' and 'Princess Lilibet Diana of Sussex'.
However, authoritative royal sources and experts confirm that these styles are not recognised by the monarchy. This creates a clear public discrepancy between the family's personal representation and the formal protocols of the institution they stepped back from.
The King's Reported Stance
It is understood that King Charles has no current plans to intervene and formally grant the use of the titles. This upholds the position established during the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II, following the couple's decision to step down as senior working royals in 2020.
The King's reported resolve on this matter underscores the firm boundary that has been set regarding the privileges extended to non-working members of the royal household. It highlights the lasting consequences of Harry and Meghan's choice to pursue a financially independent life in the United States.
Understanding the Royal Protocol
The rules surrounding royal titles are dictated by a set of historic protocols. Traditionally, the children of a sovereign's son are entitled to be Prince or Princess. However, it is widely reported that when Archie was born, the late Queen offered to create a courtesy title for him, which Harry and Meghan reportedly declined at the time.
The situation for Lilibet, born after the couple's departure from royal duties, is viewed differently within the institution. The consistent message from the palace is that as non-working royals living overseas, the children will not use Prince and Princess styles in any official capacity, despite their technical eligibility.
This ongoing tension over titles serves as a potent symbol of the deep and unresolved fissure within the House of Windsor, suggesting a reconciliation remains distant.
