Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, was born on May 6, 2019. As the first-born son of a younger son of the British monarch, Archie’s title and status have been debated since before his birth. Here are quick answers to some key questions about Archie’s potential princely status:
Why wasn’t Archie born a prince?
Under King George V’s 1917 Letters Patent, the great-grandchildren of the monarch through the male line are not princes or princesses, except for the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. As Prince Harry is not the eldest son of the Prince of Wales (Prince Charles), Archie was not born with the title His Royal Highness nor styled as a prince.
Could Archie have become a prince?
Yes, Archie could potentially have become a prince when his grandfather Prince Charles ascended the throne. King Charles III would have had the power to change George V’s Letters Patent to make Archie a prince. However, Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior working royals in 2020, indicating they did not want Archie to grow up with a royal title.
Why did Archie not become a prince when Charles became King?
When Charles became King in September 2022, he did not change the Letters Patent to make Archie a prince. This was likely due to Harry and Meghan’s wishes for their son to have a more normal upbringing without the pressure of a royal title. As non-working royals living in the US, they seem to prefer Archie being plain Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
Could Archie become a prince in the future?
Yes, it is possible Archie could be granted the title Prince in the future, either when William becomes King or if Charles changes his mind and amends the Letters Patent. However, as Archie is now 3 years old and establishing his life in California, it seems unlikely Harry and Meghan would want him to have a princely title at this point.
Does Archie have a claim in the line of succession?
Yes, Archie is currently 6th in line to the British throne, behind his grandfather King Charles III, his uncle Prince William, his cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and his father Prince Harry. Being a prince or not does not affect Archie’s place in the line of succession, which is determined by birth order.
Could Archie’s children be princes and princesses?
Under the current Letters Patent, any future children Archie has would not automatically become princes or princesses. However, once Prince William becomes King, Archie’s children would be grandchildren of the sovereign in the male line, making them eligible for the titles of Prince and Princess.
Conclusion
While Archie met the criteria for becoming a prince when his grandfather Charles ascended the throne, Harry and Meghan seem to have chosen for him to remain Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. As non-working royals, they likely want their son to have a more normal upbringing outside the royal family. However, Archie remains 6th in line to the throne, and any future children are likely to be princes and princesses when William is King.
Comparison of Archie’s Title Status to Other Royal Children
| Child | Parent | Title at Birth | Current Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archie Mountbatten-Windsor | Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex | Master | Master |
| Prince George | Prince William, Duke of Cambridge | His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge | His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge |
| Princess Charlotte | Prince William, Duke of Cambridge | Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge | Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge |
| Prince Louis | Prince William, Duke of Cambridge | His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge | His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge |
| Lucas Tindall | Zara Tindall | Master | Master |
| August Brooksbank | Princess Eugenie | Master | Master |
This table compares Archie’s title status to other recent royal children. As great-grandchildren of the Queen, Archie, Lucas and August were born without titles. William’s children, as grandchildren of the sovereign in the male line, were born with prince/princess titles. Archie remains simply Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor while his cousins have kept their princely and princessly titles.
Public Opinion on Archie’s Title
Public opinion is mixed on whether Archie should be given a prince title or not:
- Some believe that as the son of a prince, Archie should be entitled to be a prince if he so chooses. They argue he is being unfairly excluded.
- Others think Harry and Meghan made the right call in keeping Archie as Master, letting him have a more normal upbringing. They argue he will still be Prince Archie when Charles dies and William is King.
- There is also a view that in today’s times, prince and princess titles are outdated and unnecessary. People suggest the royal family phase them out altogether.
- Some royal traditionalists insist the George V Letters Patent be respected and Archie remain Master unless Charles amends it.
- There is also debate around whether titles matter that much anymore, or whether the public even care what Archie is called.
Overall public opinion covers the full spectrum, from those who adamantly think Archie should be Prince Archie now to those who think titles should be abolished. The majority seem to respect Harry and Meghan’s wishes for a non-royal upbringing for Archie.
Will Archie’s Title Affect His Relationship With the Royal Family?
It’s unlikely Archie’s lack of a prince title will impact his personal relationships within the royal family. Some key points:
- Archie is close with his cousins George, Charlotte and Louis, and that bond will remain regardless of titles.
- Charles and the Queen are said to have warm relationships with Archie, which will continue.
- Titles are more about perception and protocol than personal ties. Archie is still a beloved family member.
- As heir to the throne, William may have more invested in Archie having a prince title than Charles.
- The biggest impact is on public perception and Archie’s treatment by the media and public.
Archie’s personal relationships with royal relatives should remain unaffected. The only issue may be if in future he is treated differently publicly by virtue of not having a prince title. Overall, Archie’s lack of title seems unlikely to cause family rifts.
How Archie’s Life Would Change if He Became a Prince
If Archie were to be granted the title of Prince, several aspects of his life would likely change:
- He would have police protection – this would restrict his freedom of movement and privacy
- Increased public interest and scrutiny from media
- Access to reserved royal privileges like use of palaces
- Expected to carry out some royal duties later in life
- Would likely attend royal events like Trooping the Colour
- Travel and security arrangements would be made through palace staff
- Would have ability to use His Royal Highness (HRH) title
- May feel more connection and duty to British royal heritage
Becoming Prince Archie would significantly impact Archie’s life. The biggest change would be far more public exposure and scrutiny, requiring security protection. He would also gain perks like palace access and be expected to perform royal role later on. Harry and Meghan would likely view the costs as greater than the benefits.
How Did Past Royal Child Title Changes Affect Perceptions?
Perceptions shifted when titles changed for these royal children:
- Princess Margaret: Public sympathized when she was denied right to keep her HRH title upon marriage.
- Princess Anne: Decision to not give Anne’s children titles seen as reducing gender bias in succession.
- Louise & James Windsor: Edward and Sophie’s choice not to use prince/princess seen as modern and modest.
- Beatrice & Eugenie: Loss of HRH styles in adulthood perceived as streamlining royal family.
Past title changes for royal children have aimed to modernize the monarchy. The public often support changes seen as progressive. However, sympathy also remains for those losing titles later in life. Careful management of how and why titles change is important.
Could Archie’s Title Situation Change Public Attitudes to the Royals?
Some possible impacts Archie lacking a prince title could have on public attitudes:
- Could make royals seem out of touch or unfair if seen as excluding Archie
- May enhance modern/progressive image of monarchy if Archie has normal upbringing
- Shows Charles is willing to challenge royal tradition
- Sets precedent for future royal children, phasing out titles
- Chance to emphasize that ability to do royal duties does not depend on titles
On balance, Archie not having a prince title is more likely to modernize perceptions of the monarchy. It demonstrates titles do not determine one’s capability to serve. The risk is that the public feel Archie is being treated unfairly. Handled correctly, Archie’s situation can boost the royals’ image.
Conclusion
While Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is entitled to become Prince Archie as the son of a prince, Harry and Meghan appear content for him to remain Master Archie. This gives him a more normal upbringing focused on privacy. However, public opinion remains split on what Archie’s title should be, with arguments on both sides. Ultimately Archie’s personal relationships within the royal family should stay strong regardless of title. His lack of prince title is unlikely to cause family turmoil, though it may gradually shift public perceptions of the monarchy in a more modern direction. Archie could still become Prince Archie in future, but for now he remains Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.