Prince Archie, now seven years old, was born in the UK on May 6, 2019, as the first child of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Shortly after his birth, it was revealed that he would officially be known as Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, rather than Prince Archie of Sussex.
Why the Earl of Dumbarton title was declined
At the time, the reason for this came down to Letters Patent issued by King George V in 1917, which stated that all children of the sovereign, male-line grandchildren, and the Prince of Wales's eldest son were allowed to hold a princely title. Prince William's children all obtained 'prince' and 'princess' titles at birth, but Harry's son was given the title of 'Master'.
It was previously explained that Archie could have taken on one royal title, but that it was rejected by his parents for fears “about how that might look”. In line with royal tradition, Archie was entitled to be styled as the Earl of Dumbarton, as it is the subsidiary style of his father's official title. However, according to The Telegraph, Meghan and Harry didn't want their son to have 'dumb' in his title.
Family's return to the UK
At the time of their wedding, the late Queen made Harry and Meghan the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton and the Baron and Baroness Kilkeel. Following their move to the US, the couple welcomed Princess Lilibet in 2021.
A few months after King Charles ascended the throne, it was revealed that both Archie and his sister would be known as 'prince' and 'princess'. Meghan and Harry arrived back in the UK with their children last month, and Archie and Lilibet are now attending British schools.
