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.
About 20 to 30 guests attended Lilibet’s private christening at the Sussexes’ Montecito, California, home, according to the Mirror.
Since their grandpa became king, the children’s titles have been a birthright. According to a spokesperson for the couple, “this matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”
Archie & Lilibet is now prince and princess
The Royal Family’s website has been updated, listing Archie and Lilibet as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. This marks the first time their royal titles have been used publicly.
The fact that Archie and Lilibet now hold the titles of prince and princess has left many people puzzled. Meghan addressed this topic during the well-known Oprah interview shortly after she and Harry moved to the United 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 explained.
In 1917, George V established rules that are still followed today. He decreed 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.”
In simpler terms, the grandchildren of the reigning monarch are entitled to the titles His Royal Majesty and Her Royal Majesty. However, this rule does not extend to great-grandchildren.
There is, however, one notable exception: the children of the eldest son of the heir. This is why Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – were granted royal titles while Queen Elizabeth was still alive.
Following the death of the Queen and the accession of Charles to the throne, Archie and Lilibet became entitled to their royal titles. Therefore, the children are entitled to them regardless of Harry and Meghan’s situation.
“Discussions took place after the Queen’s funeral”
According to the Daily Mirror, Harry and Meghan reportedly do not wish to deny their children their birthright. Instead, they want Archie and Lilibet to have the opportunity to decide for themselves whether to keep or renounce their titles when they grow older.
It is expected that Archie and Lilibet will not use their royal titles in everyday situations, reserving them primarily for formal occasions.
“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 vocal about their experiences within the royal family. However, critics continue to argue that their frequent discussions about royal life – through projects like Netflix, Spotify, and book deals – are motivated by financial gain.
Sarah Hewson has suggested that the new titles for Archie and Lilibet could potentially benefit their parents financially. However, this remains speculation.
Meanwhile, royal insider Richard Eden has presented another theory, one involving Camilla and her grandchildren.
Prince George, the grandson of King Charles and son of Prince William, is rumored to play a part in the coronation. According to recent allegations, Camilla’s grandchildren may potentially be involved.
At the coronation, Camilla’s grandchildren will play a significant part.
Camilla is the mother of two children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, and has five grandchildren: Tom’s children, Lola and Freddy, and Laura’s children, Eliza and twins Louis and Gus. It has been previously disclosed that her grandchildren refer to her by the nickname “GaGa.”
As reported by the Daily Star, Camilla has proposed that Lola and Eliza, both 15, along with Freddy and twins Louis and Gus, all 13, could hold the canopy above her head during the anointing with holy oil.
The relationship between Harry and Meghan and the royal family has been strained since their departure. Through various interviews, the Netflix documentary series, and Harry’s memoir Spare, they have openly criticized several members of the royal family, including King Charles.
Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan were removed from their UK residence, Frogmore Cottage. This, combined with the news of Camilla’s grandchildren playing a role in the coronation, might explain why the Sussexes recently announced that their children, Archie and Lilibet, will now be known as prince and princess.
At least, that is the interpretation of royal expert Richard Eden.
The palace insider, who spoke to the Daily Mail, charged that Harry and Meghan were retaliating against King Charles and Camilla by using their children’s royal titles. Eden claims that the announcement’s timing is “revenge.”
The title announcement by Harry and Meghan is “revenge” for Camilla’s coronation scheme.
“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 learnt 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 central topic of discussion in the months leading up to the coronation, much of the spotlight will likely be on the Sussexes during the event if they choose to attend. According to royal expert Kinsey Schofield, that could work to Camilla’s advantage. With Harry and Meghan drawing the focus, the fact that Camilla plans to involve her grandchildren in the coronation might go relatively unnoticed.
At the same time, Schofield suggested that Camilla’s decision could potentially upset 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.”
Schofield said the royal fans won’t be interested in Camilla’s grandchildren, despite the fact that they have received more attention recently.
According to the royal expert, “Camilla’s popularity may have increased, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be any interest in her grandchildren.”
Families will give Harry and Meghan the “cold shoulder.”
“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 remarked: “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 at where she is at in her life. She is happy with her heart.”
With the coronation less than two months away, it remains uncertain whether Harry and Meghan will attend. However, if they do, they might face challenges in dealing with several family members.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, a royal family friend revealed that Harry and Meghan would likely receive the “cold shoulder” from many relatives.
“One said to me, ‘I hope they’ll be seated in Iceland,’” the family friend shared.
This reaction is hardly surprising, given how critical Harry and Meghan have been of the Royal Family. After leaving the UK for good, the couple participated in the now-infamous Oprah interview, during which Meghan made several shocking claims.
She added that when she sought assistance amid a struggle with poor mental health, the Duchess was treated with silence. She claimed that a “unnamed royal” had inquired about the possible complexion color of the then-unborn Archie.
Will Meghan attend the coronation with Harry?
Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler and close confidant, suggested that the couple might not attend the coronation together.
In an interview with Express, Burrell remarked that it would be “incredibly uncomfortable” for Harry and Meghan to reunite with the Royal Family. In another discussion, he speculated that Harry would likely attend alone, 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 shared with 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.”
What’s your take on this? Do you think Harry and Meghan will attend the coronation? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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