Why Harry and Meghan Haven’t Told Archie and Lilibet About Their Royal Titles

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are raising their children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, as private citizens in California.

While Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior royals in 2020, Harry and his children still hold their places as fifth, sixth, and seventh in line to the British throne.

In March 2023, the Sussexes publicly announced Lilibet’s title for the first time during her christening ceremony held at their Montecito home.

However, according to US Weekly, Harry and Meghan have not yet explained their children’s royal heritage to them. A friend revealed that the couple plans to have those conversations “in due time.” The Sussexes aim for Archie and Lilibet to be loved for who they are as individuals.

The friend further described the Sussex children as “well-mannered,” mentioning that Archie is “sweet and curious and playful,” while Lilibet is “vibrant and happy.”

According to title rules set out by King George V in 1917, Archie and Lilibet automatically became a prince and princess when Charles ascended the throne. Their titles will be used in formal settings but not in everyday conversation by Harry and Meghan.

Archie was born in London and spent his initial months at the Sussexes’ former home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. On the other hand, Lilibet was born on June 4, 2021, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

The Sussex children have only joined their parents on one UK trip since moving to the US in 2020. They celebrated the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in London in June 2022, which also marked Lilibet’s first birthday.

Security concerns have played a part in Harry’s decision not to bring Meghan and their children to the UK regularly. Harry has an ongoing legal battle with the Home Office, challenging a decision that affects their security in the UK.

In a December statement to the High Court, Harry said, “It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020. The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US. That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not often share photographs of their children, aside from some footage and images featured in their Netflix docuseries released in December 2022.

A close friend told US Weekly that Harry and Meghan keep Archie and Lilibet out of the public eye due to safety concerns. Referencing Harry’s legal plight, the friend commented, “I think every parent wants to share their kid with the world, but they just can’t. William’s kids, for example, have way more safety, even though they’re recognizable. The same doesn’t apply to Meghan and Harry’s children. They know the world wants to see [them], but I would expect them to live smaller lives until that gets sorted, if it ever does.”

Harry has been granted permission to appeal against the dismissal of his High Court challenge concerning their security arrangements.

Source: US Weekly