Why Meghan and Harry are ‘furious’ about Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s new titles

Meghan and Harry are said to be fuming about their children’s new titles – or lack thereof. Here’s why ‘prince’ and ‘princess’ isn’t good enough.

There has been much talk of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children finally being given the titles of ‘Prince’ and ‘Princess’ after the Queen’s death.

Under long-held traditions of the monarchy dating back to the 18th century, and with King Charles’ ascension, the Sussex children are entitled to receive titles of His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Archie of Sussex and Her Royal Highness Princess Lilibet of Sussex, in-keeping with conventions set out George V in 1917 which state the grandchildren of the monarch automatically receive royal titles.

While King Charles, 73, has said he won’t reveal the new titles for Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, during the mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II, which concludes 7 days after her September 19 funeral, it’s being reported the monarch will anoint Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, but will not allow them to take the HRH status.

So, what does this mean exactly?

It means Archie and Lilibet will be able to call themselves Prince and Princess, which looks good on paper, but Harry and Meghan have claimed it’s the HRH status that carries significance.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Picture: Alexi Lubomirski/Handout/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Lilibet Diana was born in the US, where the Sussex family is now based. Picture: Misan Harriman

The HRH title gives royals access to a salary and entitles the holder to taxpayer-funded protection and security.

It also means people are supposed to bow or curtsy when an HRH approaches.

Harry and Meghan sacrificed the HRH title when they stepped down as senior royals in early 2020 and moved to California, but they have since spoken out against being forced to do so, saying it left their family with the same high-profile sans security.

In their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Harry claimed he had been completely cut off financially from the royal family, despite still holding his Prince and Duke of Sussex title.

He’s also in the early days of a lawsuit he brought against the Queen’s government, the Home Office, which he’s suing over the decision to cut his police protection.

The HRH title is currently held by King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince William, Princess Catherine, their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, and Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Andrew was stripped of the HRH title in February after he privately settled a sexual assault lawsuit with alleged assault victim, Virginia Giuffre.

Tense discussions have reportedly taken place over the royal titles while Meghan and Harry are in the UK.

A source told The Sun: “There have been a lot of talks over the past week. That is the agreement – they can be prince and princess but not HRH because they are not working royals.”

Charles is expected to officially anoint Archie and Lilibet as ‘Prince’ and ‘Princess’ in the near future.

The Royal Family’s official website has already edited its line of succession, but refers to Archie as a ‘Master’ and Lilibet as a ‘Miss’.

Harry and Meghan are currently in the UK for the Queen’s funeral. Picture: PHIL NOBLE / POOL / AFP

Elsewhere, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children’s titles were altered to include the ‘Wales’ title, and are referred to as ‘Prince George of Wales’, ‘Princess Charlotte of Wales’ and ‘Prince Louis of Wales’.

Meghan previously claimed there had been “conversations” while she was pregnant about Charles enacting the change when he became monarch, meaning Archie would lose his right to a title.

“I think even with that convention I’m talking about, while I was pregnant, they said they want to change the convention for Archie,” she told Oprah.

“All the grandeur around this stuff is not really important to me. But in those months when I was pregnant, all around same time, we have in tandem he won’t be given security, a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”