Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say it is Archie and Lilibet’s ‘birthright’ to be called prince and princess

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released a blunt statement in the wake of their daughter being christened Princess Lilibet.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have declared it is Archie and Lilibet’s “birthright” to use their prince and princess titles.

In a new statement defending the decision to use the children’s royal titles, the Sussexes said the matter had been “settled for some time” with King Charles.

Under royal protocol, the children of a son of the monarch are traditionally given the title of prince or princess.

Princess Lilibet. Picture: Misan Harriman

However, it was unclear whether Harry and Meghan wished for their children to have royal titles following their own decision to cease being working royals.

That all changed when 21-month-old Lilibet was referred to as a princess in a statement on Wednesday announcing she had been christened.

The christening took place in California, but Charles, Camilla, William and Kate did not attend.

A spokesman for the Sussexes said: “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch.

“This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”

Archie and Lilibet’s titles were finally changed on the royal website on Thursday evening - some six months on from the Queen’s death.

They were being referred to as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. They are now listed as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

William and Kate’s titles - and those of their children - were swiftly changed from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Prince and Princess of Wales after Charles ascended to the throne.

Harry and Meghan pose for a Christmas card with Archie and Lilibet. Picture: ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI/The Times

The Sussexes’ daughter was referred to as “Princess Lilibet Diana” in their statement about her christening.

It’s understood that she will still be called “Lilibet” under most circumstances, and it will be up to her how she wishes people to refer to her when she is older.

Under rules set out by King George V in 1917, the children of the son of a sovereign are automatically prince and princess.

That meant that Archie and Lilibet were not due to become prince and princess until their grandfather Charles became king.

But Meghan bizarrely claimed during the couple’s infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey that Archie - who was born during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign - was not given a title because of his race.

Harry says Charles has agreed to Archie and Lilibet being prince and princess (Photo by ISABEL INFANTES / POOL / AFP)

A spokesman for the royal pair confirmed on Wendesday that Lilibet’s christening took place last week.

“Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor,” a statement said.

The young princess was not actually christened by the “Archbishop of Los Angeles”. That title is reserved for the head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, José Horacio Gómez.

Rather, Lilibet’s religious service was performed by the Bishop of Los Angeles John Taylor, who heads the far smaller Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, part of the Anglican Communion.

People magazine was told that the ceremony was an “intimate gathering”, albeit reportedly with a 10-person gospel choir that flew in from Atlanta.

The 20-30 guests included Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and Lilibet’s godfather, actor and entrepreneur Tyler Perry.

There was an “afternoon of food and dancing”, said People, which included “Archie enjoying a dance with his little sister”.

Originally published as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say it is Archie and Lilibet’s ‘birthright’ to be called prince and princess