Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor are now prince and princess after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to give them royal titles. The Sussexes explained that it was their birthright, though if the two young children will be invited to King Charles’ coronation is still unknown.
Harry and Meghan have reportedly received an invite from the king to attend the coronation on May 6, but it’s yet unclear if they will join the celebration. One thing that seems to be set in stone is that Camilla’s grandchildren will all play significant roles on the big day.
One royal expert argued that Camilla’s decision might make royal fans angry. Another Palace insider, meanwhile, even suggested that Harry and Meghan chose to style their children prince and princess in retaliation.
When Harry and Meghan left royal life behind, they did not renounce their royal titles. So the Duke remains in the line of succession, and his two children, Archie and Lilibet, are currently behind him at sixth and seventh in line for the throne.
The two Sussex children were listed as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor in the line of succession. But now, a considerable alteration has been made, which may give an idea of what the future could hold.
In early March, Lilibet Diana, who turns two in June, was christened by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor. Her name is now Princess Lilibet Diana. Harry and Meghan, in a statement, said they believe the princess title is her “birthright.”
But was the change only to do with Harry and Meghan setting things to rights the way they see them in their eyes? Well, according to a royal expert, the timing of the announcement might have another explanation – and it’s one that concerns vengeance.
Lilibet’s christening occurred privately at the Sussexes’ home in Montecito, California, with around 20 to 30 people in attendance, as reported by the Mirror.
“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,” a spokesman for the couple said.
Archie & Lilibet is now prince and princess
The Royal Family’s website has been updated accordingly – Archie and Lilibet are now listed as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. This is the first time their royal titles have been used publicly.
The fact that Archie and Lilibet now bear the titles of prince and princess has confused many. Meghan spoke about the subject during the infamous Oprah interview shortly after she and Harry relocated to the States.
“They were saying they didn’t want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol,” she said.
In 1917, George V created the rules that are still in place today. He decided that the children of the sons of any Sovereign “shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honor.”
More simply explained, the monarch’s grandchildren have the right to titles His Royal Majesty and Her Royal Majesty. However, this does not extend to great-grandchildren.
Yet, there is one reported exception; the children of the eldest son of the heir. That is why the children of Prince William and Kate Middleton – the Prince and Princess of Wales – were given the royal titles Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis while Queen Elizabeth was still alive.
Archie and Lilibet became eligible for their royal titles after the Queen passed and Charles became monarch. So, irrespective of any circumstances regarding Harry and Meghan, the children are entitled to them.
“Discussions took place after the Queen’s funeral”
As per the Daily Mirror, Harry and Meghan are understood not to want to deny their children their birthright. Instead, it’s their wish that Archie and Lilibet have a chance to decide for themselves if they wish to keep or drop their titles when they are older.
Archie and Lilibet will most likely not use their royal titles in everyday life. Instead, they will probably be reserved solely for formal settings.
“It wasn’t clear if they would use them or not since Harry and Meghan have left the family as working royals and headed to the States,” TalkTV Royal Editor Sarah Hewson told Sky.
“We understand discussions took place after the Queen’s funeral and it has been agreed that they will be known formally as prince and princess – although Harry and Meghan won’t be using it in everyday life.”
Harry and Meghan have been very outspoken about their life within the royal sphere. However, there remain critics who argue their penchant for talking about the royals – for example, their Netflix, Spotify, and book deals – is simply so they can earn money.
Sarah Hewson claims that the new titles for Archie and Lilibet might benefit their parents financially. However, that is only speculation.
Royal insider Richard Eden has another theory, one that involves Camilla – and her grandchildren.
It’s been reported that Prince George, son of Prince William and grandson of King Charles, will have some sort of role in the coronation. New reports have also suggested that Camilla’s grandchildren might be involved.
Camilla’s grandchildren have a big role in the coronation
Camilla has two children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes. She has five grandchildren by them: Tom’s two children, Lola and Freddy, and Laura’s daughter, Eliza, and twins Louis and Gus. It has previously been revealed that they call her by her nickname, “GaGa.”
According to the Daily Star, Camilla has suggested that Lola and Eliza, both 15, as well as Freddy and twins Louis and Gus, all 13, could hold the canopy above her head as she is anointed with holy oil.
Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royals has been rocky since they left the family. In several interviews, the Netflix documentary series, and Harry’s book Spare, they criticized several royals, including King Charles.
Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan were evicted from their UK base Frogmore Cottage. That, along with the news of Camilla’s grandchildren featuring in the coronation, could well have something to do with the Sussexes announcing that their Archie and Lilibet will now be known as prince and princess.
At least, that’s what royal expert Richard Eden claims.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, the palace insider accused Harry and Meghan of using their children’s royal titles as retaliation against King Charles and Camilla. According to Eden, the timing of the announcement is “revenge.”
Harry and Meghan’s title announcement “revenge” for Camilla’s coronation plan
“It does strike me as revenge by Harry and Meghan. What we’ve seen is two big developments over the past week. Last week it emerged that they’re being evicted from their only British home, which they described as their forever home at Frogmore Cottage,” Eden said.
“Then we also learned that Camilla’s grandchildren were going to have roles at the Coronation. Both things I think will have upset Harry and Meghan. They’ll be thinking, ‘What can we do to have our revenge?’ and that’s making sure that their children can have these two titles.”
While Harry and Meghan have been a big talking point in the months leading up to the coronation, much of the attention will be on the Sussexes during it if they plan on going. According to royal expert Kinsey Schofield, that might be an excellent thing for Camilla. With the attention being on Harry and Meghan, the fact that Camilla will utilize her grandchildren in the coronation might fly under the radar.
At the same time, Schofield argued that Camilla’s choice has the potential to anger royal fans.
“The Royal Family’s value is in their traditions,” she said. “Traditions and ceremonies that the world envies. When they sway too far from those customs, you will anger and disappoint a significant amount of people that feel like those actions strip away at the mystique.”
Though Camilla’s grandchildren have gotten more attention in recent years, Schofield suggests that they won’t interest the royal fans watching.
“Camilla’s popularity may have increased, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be any interest in her grandchildren,” the royal expert said.
Harry and Meghan get the “cold shoulder” from family members
“Nepo babies obviously exist, but if you look at the success of Princess Diana’s nieces, Ladies Kitty Spencer, Amelia Spencer, and Eliza Spencer… they all share a striking resemblance to their Aunt Diana, who is universally adored.”
Kinsey Schofield concluded: “I think people have come to accept Camilla but likely don’t love and respect her the way they did Queen Elizabeth or Princess Diana. I also don’t think Camilla cares. She is perfectly content with where she is in her life. She is happy with her heart.”
The coronation is less than two months away. Only time will tell if Harry and Meghan will show up, but if they do, they might have a hard time where several family members are concerned.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, a royal family friend said that Harry and Meghan would be given the “cold shoulder” by many relatives.
“One said to me, ‘I hope they’ll be seated in Iceland,’” the friend to the family said.
That’s hardly unsurprising given how critical Harry and Meghan have been of the Royal Family. When the couple left the UK for good – going on to be a part of the now-infamous Oprah interview – Meghan wasted no time making shocking claims.
She said that an “unnamed royal” had asked about the then-unborn Archie’s potential skin color, adding that when she asked for help during a battle with poor mental health, the Duchess was met with silence.
Will Meghan join Harry for the coronation?
Paul Burrell – Princess Diana’s former butler and friend – suggested that the couple might not travel to the coronation together.
Speaking with Express, Burrell stated that it would be “incredibly uncomfortable” for Harry and Meghan to reunite with the Royal Family. However, in another interview, the former butler claimed that Harry most likely will go by himself, as he believes Meghan isn’t “brave or strong enough.”
“It’s likely to be incredibly uncomfortable for them if they attend, particularly Meghan,” Burrell told Closer Magazine. “Are they prepared to face the music?”
“I don’t think Meghan’s brave or strong enough to be there — she’d have to look in the eyes of a family she’s pushed under the bus,” he continued. “But I think Harry may come alone and she’s probably told him she won’t be able to be by his side with him if he does attend.”
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