Why Archie and Lili’s New Titles Not Listed on Updated Line of Succession on the Royal Family’s Website
Spokesperson says "you can't update love on a website."
The moment that their great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II died on Sept. 8, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s two children automatically gained new titles.
Three-year-old Archie is now technically HRH Prince Archie of Sussex and his sister, one-year-old Lili, is now HRH Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
Now the royal family’s website has updated its line of succession to reflect their grandfather’s new role as King Charles III.
Meanwhile Archie and Lili’s uncle Prince William is the new Prince of Wales and his wife Kate is the first Princess of Wales since Diana’s death in 1997. They were formerly the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Related: Watch Kate, William, Harry and Meghan Reunite for Viewing of Floral Tributes to Queen Elizabeth II
The website also reflects their children’s new titles. We knew them as Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis of Cambridge, and referred to the collective family as the Cambridges—they’re now the Waleses.
For example 9-year-old George will henceforth be known as Prince George of Wales.
But why hasn’t the website been updated to include Archie and Lili’s new titles?
Archie is listed as sixth in line to the throne but is still referred to Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, while Lili is seventh and listed as Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.
As the grandchildren of the sovereign, Archie and Lili have the right to style themselves as His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness, and to use the titles prince and princess.
However, in her incendiary interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan said that she and Harry had been told by Charles that he would change the rules when he ascended to the throne and deny titles to their children.
Related: Where Did Queen Elizabeth II Get Her Money, And What Was Her Net Worth?
When Archie was born it was reported that Meghan and Harry didn’t want their children to have titles, but this was contradicted by Meghan.
The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah that the optics were essentially of “the first member of color in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be.”
In his first speech as king, Charles expressed his love for Meghan and Harry.
A spokesperson for the king subsequently said, “While the website was updated for the Waleses, clearly updating love on a website doesn't quite work so we've not quite done that but clearly he does love them.
“We will be working through updating the website as and when we get information.”
Related: Where Will King Charles III and Queen Camilla Live?
