Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a significant change to their son Archie’s birth certificate.
As reported by the Mirror, they removed Meghan’s given names ‘Rachel Meghan’ and replaced it with her title ‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex’.
What Happened to Prince Archie’s Birth Certificate?
Archie was born on May 6, 2019 and her birth was registered 11 days later, with the modification occurring on June 5.
This adjustment has been seen in the context of the speculated rift within the royal family, particularly between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William, along with their wives.
The Sun suggested that this could be perceived as a snub to the Prince and Princess of Wales, especially as Kate’s personal names are included on their children’s birth certificates.
Some interpret the move as an attempt by Harry to draw parallels between Meghan and her mother, the late Princess Diana, who was commonly referred to as “Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales,” the Daily Record reports.
After the switch, Harry and Meghan stepped away from their joint charity work with William and Kate, and not long after, officially abandoned their royal roles, an event widely dubbed ‘Megxit’ by the press.
The couple moved to the United States and expanded their family with the arrival of their daughter, Princess Lilibet, in 2021, who recently turned 3.
What Do the Experts Say?
Lady Colin Campbell, who discovered the birth certificate amendment, commented, “It is extraordinary and raises all kinds of questions about what the Sussexes were thinking.”
Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s former press secretary, hinted that these changes might be “an early part of their plan.”
Royal expert Ingrid Seward added her thoughts, “For a royal to change a birth certificate is unprecedented but to remove forenames is remarkable. Perhaps this is another sign they were desperate to do something different to the Cambridges.”
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, the couple’s two children are now known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.