Why the Queen made this exception for William and Kate – but not for Harry and Meghan
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are doing things very differently to Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Sussexes decided not to step out of the Lindo Wing when Archie was born, they gave him a very unique and not traditionally royal name, and they chose to keep his christening private.
The ‘fab four’ as they were previously known have also decided to go their separate ways, with Harry and Meghan starting their own royal household and splitting from the Royal Foundation. It has fuelled endless feud rumours, despite the fact that the moves are more likely down to royal pecking order, with William second in line to the throne and Harry now sixth meaning the brothers ‘must prepare for their future roles’.
And it seems that this is why the Queen made this one exception for William and Kate – but she won’t be doing the same for Harry and Meghan.
Last month, baby Archie’s birth certificate hit the headlines as many were eager to find out what the little one’s official title is. It turns out that Harry and Meghan didn’t bestow any earldom or dukedom on their son, despite whispers that Archie may inherit his dad’s subsidiary title, Earl of Dumbarton, and many questioned whether or not he would be a prince.
So why did the Queen allow Archie’s cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to employ royal titles?
In 2013, the Queen issued a decree granting the titles to all three of William and Kate’s children. Previously, King George V issued a Letters Patent in 1917 to limit the use of royal titles to the children and grandchildren of the sovereign, and the eldest son of the eldest son of the heir. This would have meant that Prince George would have been known as a prince, but Charlotte and Louis wouldn’t receive the same honour.
While this exception from the Queen might not extend to little Archie, it appears that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently happy to let their son grow up without a title to ensure that he has a more ‘normal’ upbringing.
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