This Wednesday, March 8, 2023, news of Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor’s christening made headlines around the world, but one detail that also drew attention is that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s spokesman referred to the little girl as “princess.”
“I can confirm that Princess Lilibet was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor,” said the spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Many immediately began to speculate whether the California-based couple’s children would already have their royal titles. According to a rule established by King George V in 1917 all children and grandchildren of the reigning monarch are entitled to be addressed as “prince” or “princess.”
However, following King Charles’ accession to the throne, Archie, 3, and Lili, 1, are still listed on the royal family website as “Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor” and “Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.”
What Buckingham Palace said about Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor’s real title
According to the Daily Mail, although Meghan and Harry’s children remain without royal titles on the official Windsor site, the website “will be updated in due course” to reflect the titles.
In her controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan assured that neither she nor Harry had decided that Archie would not receive the title “prince.”
She explained that for her it is important for the child to have that title if it guaranteed his safety. “They didn’t want my son or daughter to be a prince or princess, and he wasn’t going to get security,” she said, referring to the Royal Family.
There are other members of the British royal family who do not have prince or princess titles.
Princess Anne and Prince Edward decided to let their children have their own way and make the decision if they wanted that title when they turned 18. Zara Tindall, Peter Philipps, and Lady Louise did not claim the title when they came of age. James, Viscount Severn, is Elizabeth II’s youngest grandson and is no longer entitled to the dignity of prince because when he comes of age his uncle will reign.