Meghan Markle has reignited controversy over the royal family's decision not to grant her son Archie the title of prince, suggesting the move was influenced by his mixed-race heritage. In her interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess of Sussex expressed shock that Archie was denied the title and police protection, alleging that conversations about his skin colour occurred before his birth.
Under protocols established by King George V in 1917, children and grandchildren of a sovereign automatically receive HRH and prince or princess titles. However, Archie, as a great-grandchild of the Queen at birth, did not qualify. The rules stipulate that only the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales—Prince George—was originally entitled to the title. The Queen later issued letters patent to ensure all of Prince William's children would be princes and princesses.
Meghan claimed the couple had expected Archie to become a prince when Prince Charles ascends the throne, but were told protocols would be changed to exclude him as part of a slimmed-down monarchy. She insisted the decision was not theirs, saying, "It was not our decision to make." She added that the title mattered only if it ensured Archie's safety.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have previously indicated they wanted Archie to have a normal upbringing without royal titles, but Meghan clarified that this was not their choice. The issue of security is separate, with extended royals like Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice no longer receiving taxpayer-funded protection.
