A decision regarding Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie has been branded “odd” by a royal commentator as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face backlash.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020 and relocated to the United States.
Prince Archie, now five, spent the first five months of his life in the UK before relocating to America.
Whereas Princess Lilibet, now three, was born in Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in 2021.
Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie decision branded ‘odd’ as Harry and Meghan face backlash
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The two children originally did not have princely titles.
For example, when Archie was born, Buckingham Palace announced he would be known as “Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.”
It was not until 2022 when their grandfather, King Charles, ascended to the throne, that they were allowed to use their official royal titles.
The reason dates back to the 1917 Letters Patent, established by King George V, that ruled only the children of the monarch, their children, and the eldest living son of the Prince of Wales’s eldest son would be entitled to the style of “Royal Highness”.
When Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne, Archie and Lilibet were not entitled to become a prince or princess as they were great-grandchildren of the monarch, as opposed to the grandchildren.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond disapproves of Harry and Meghan’s “odd” decision, saying: “I can understand Harry and Meghan wanting their children to have their birthright, even though they have turned their backs on life in the UK.
“What I find rather odd is their public use of these titles while the children are so young – and so estranged from their family and heritage.
“Both Harry and Meghan have made it clear that they found royal life deeply uncomfortable, so it’s hard to think they would ever want it for their children.
Prince Archie seen in a video holding the Sussex family dog Guy’s lead
“But they are probably right to keep all options open for them.”
Bond compared Archie and Lilibet to James, Earl of Wessex and Lady Louise Windsor – the children of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
She continued to tell the Mirror: “I think it might have been better for them to keep the titles private as Edward and Sophie kept their children’s HRH status private until and unless the children decide to use them.
“There’s no doubt that a royal title carries a good deal of kudos, especially in the States, and has a commercial and social value.
“So they are protecting their children’s interests – even if it does seem a touch cynical.”
