King Charles has shown resistance despite calls to strip his youngest son and daughter-in-law of their royal titles, but Prince William is reported to “tidy up” certain parts of the monarchy when he becomes monarch. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, before moving to start a new life in the US.
Following a report in The Guardian, it has been noted that the Duke of Sussex wants his children with wife Meghan Markle to retain their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles, giving Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, the choice to potentially have royal roles in the future or lead more private lives.
The Sunday Times reported in a piece about Prince William’s 43rd birthday that there is “bemusement in royal circles” at the idea, and that roles for Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, are unlikely under William’s reign.
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Harry and Meghan retained their HRH titles after stepping back as senior royals in 2020, though a statement from Buckingham Palace at the time made clear: “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
Archie and Lilibet began using their ‘prince’ and ‘princess’ titles shortly after their grandfather, King Charles, acceded to the throne in 2022.
Under rules established by George V in 1917, Archie and Lilibet became entitled to prince and princess titles when Charles became King in 2022. The Sussexes first used the title ‘Princess Lilibet’ publicly after her 2023 California christening.
However, debate surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal titles was reignited in April, when Meghan appeared as a podcast guest on Jamie Kern Lima’s podcast. They recalled a time Meghan dropped off a gift basket at her house, sharing a photo of a note that read, “With compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex”.