Princess Lilibet and her brother Prince Archie have, throughout their short lives, always been of public interest. They’re royal babies, and though their parents, Harry and Meghan, have left royal life behind, people want to know everything about them. Yet when the family moved to the US, things went very quiet regarding the children.
It wasn’t until the Netflix series, released in December, that royal fans got to see Archie and Lilibet play and interact with their parents for the first time. Then, just weeks ago, the young siblings became the talk of the town as Harry and Meghan announced that they had received their “birthright” titles of prince and princess.
Many fans were overjoyed to hear it, while others suspected there were ulterior motives at play. According to royal expert Angela Levin, Harry and Meghan have made the issue of the royal titles all about them.
Now, she’s gone even further, accusing the couple of being selfish and claiming their decision could backfire.
Harry and Meghan faced heavy criticism over the names they chose for their beloved daughter immediately after her birth. One critic, royal commentator Richard Kay, wrote in a column for the Daily Mail that the couple had taken things too far by naming their daughter Lilibet.
Kay argued that the name was in bad taste as it was a private family nickname for the late Queen Elizabeth II. Another expert, Angela Levin, claimed that the Queen might even have been offended by it.
“I think she’s desperately unhappy because they were desperately rude about her, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I think it’s quite rude to her Majesty the Queen,” Levin said.
A third expert, Tom Quinn, added that at the time, some experts thought Harry and Meghan naming their daughter Lilibet was “cynical” and merely an attempt by Harry and Meghan to increase their “royal currency.”
Archie and Lilibet made prince and princess
The royal author quoted royal biographer Gyles Brandreth, who said that Queen Elizabeth was “touched” by the gesture from the Sussexes. However, according to Quinn, the late Queen never publicly shared how she really felt about her great-granddaughter being named Lilibet.
Harry and Meghan finding themselves in hot water relating to the royal is nothing new. As a result, they’re likely not to be surprised with that backlash they’ve faced after deciding to see to it that their children, Archie and Lilibet, receive their official royal titles.
Some weeks ago, Lilibet Diana, who turns two in June, was christened by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor. She became Princess Lilibet Diana, and her brother Prince Archie. In a statement, Harry and Meghan said they believe the prince and princess titles are their “birthright.”
The christening occurred privately at the Sussexes’ home in Montecito, California, with around 20 to 30 people in attendance, as reported by the Mirror.
“The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace,” a spokesman for the couple said.
The Royal Family’s website has been updated accordingly – Archie and Lilibet are now listed as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. This is the first time their royal titles have been used publicly.
Harry & Meghan says royal titles is their children’s birthright
The fact that Archie and Lilibet now bear the titles of prince and princess has confused many. Meghan spoke about the subject during the now-infamous Oprah interview.
“They were saying they didn’t want [Archie] to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol,” she said.
In 1917, George V created the rules still in place today. He decided 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.”
More simply explained, the monarch’s grandchildren have the right to titles His Royal Majesty and Her Royal Majesty. However, this does not extend to great-grandchildren.
Yet, there is one reported exception; the children of the eldest son of the heir. That is why the children of Prince William and Kate Middleton – the Prince and Princess of Wales – were given the royal titles Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis while Queen Elizabeth was still alive.
When the Queen passed, and King George became the monarch, Archie and Lilibet became eligible for their own royal titles. Irrespective of the circumstances surrounding Harry and Meghan, their children are entitled to them.
As per the Mirror, Harry and Meghan are understood not to want to deny their children their birthright. Instead, it’s their wish that Archie and Lilibet have a chance to decide for themselves if they wish to keep or drop their titles when they are older.
Archie and Lilibet will most likely not use their royal titles in everyday life. They will instead probably be reserved for formal settings alone.
Harry & Meghan slammed over royal titles for Archie and Lilibet
But while Harry and Meghan have every right to acknowledge the royal titles of their give children, not everyone is equally enthused.
Royal expert and author Angela Levin commented on the decision in a piece for Sky News Australia, saying that it might have an unwanted impact on Archie and Lilibet’s futures.
Moreover, Levin argues that Lilibet now has a significant burden on her shoulders due to her parent’s decision.
“It will take a long time for little Lilibet to realise the extent of the burden her parents have placed on her young shoulders,” Levin said. She added that by giving their daughter a princess title, Harry and Meghan have now “glued her to the British Royal Family,” the same establishment they have criticized for many years.
“Why on earth would you want your daughter to experience such anguish?” Angela Levin said, adding that Lilibet’s everyday life now will be more challenging since she has the princess title attached to her name.
“Little girls obviously love being a princess at parties, but if Lilibet is the only one in the class who is a real princess, it could lead to jealousy that could easily be avoided,” the royal expert concluded.
At present, King Charles‘ coronation is on everyone’s lips, and Harry and Meghan have officially been invited. The reporting during the months leading up to the coronation has primarily been about whether the Sussexes would be asked to attend. The focus has now shifted, and it’s become a question of whether or not they will show.
Harry & Meghan’s ‘demands’ for King Charles’ coronation
Recently, reports surrounding Harry and Meghan’s “show or not-show” have been running rampant. Certain sources even state that the couple have a listen of demands to be met if they’re to attend.
According to the Mirror, the Sussexes have six’ demands for the coronation. Meanwhile, it’s also been reported that Archie and Lilibet won’t be invited because they are too young.
A source told OK! that Harry and Meghan want their two children on the invitation list, especially since they now have the same titles as their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Of course, May 6 is not necessarily a date that Harry and Meghan will most associate with King Charles’ coronation. It’s Archie’s birthday, and this year, he turns four. Of course, the couple want their son’s birthday to be recognized, and that’s reportedly another demand the couple have if they’re to attend the coronation.
“Archie’s birthday falls on May 6, coronation day, and the Sussexes want the family to recognise that,” a source told OK!.
“The Sussexes have asked for some kind of celebration or acknowledgement to be factored into the day’s plans to ensure that his fourth birthday won’t get lost during the momentous day.”
After Harry published his memoir, Spare, he demanded an apology from the Royal Family over how he and Meghan were treated.
When the Duke returned to the UK for the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021, he was said to have sat down with his father and brother in what he called an “ambush.”
Harry wants sitdown with Charles and William
Now, though, Harry wants a new face-to-face meeting with Charles and William. Sources tell the Mirror that he is eager to discuss their issues.
“Harry has been very clear, and his position hasn’t wavered – he isn’t going to come if he feels the atmosphere will be as toxic as it was during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and funeral,” the source told the British news outlet.
“He’s said he wants to reconcile with his family and it’s their call, but so far nothing has changed.”
Speaking with ITV earlier this year, Harry discussed the subject of sitting down with his father and brother.
“There’s a lot to be discussed and I really hope that they can – that they are willing to sit down and talk about it, because there’s a lot that’s happened in six years. And prior to that as well,” he said.
After King Charles and Camilla’s coronation on May 6, senior Royal Family members will travel in procession to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey and wave to the big crowd from the famous balcony. During the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year, Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet weren’t on the terrace. But that might change for the coronation if the couple have any say.
According to the Mirror, Harry and Meghan have asked to be included on the balcony after the coronation procession back to the Palace.
