The royal rule for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's baby
Now that Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s big baby news has been revealed, speculation has already turned to what title it will carry when it arrives in the northern hemisphere spring in 2019.
You may think being bestowed the HRH (His or Her Royal Highness) title would be a mere formality in the Royal family, but just over 100 years ago, Queen Elizabeth II’s father King George V limited the use of the titles, reports news.com.au. Only the Monarch, the Monarch’s children and grandchildren, and the Monarch’s eldest child’s first grandson could receive HRH status.
The rule, and Queen Elizabeth II’s discretion, will decide if the upcoming baby will be a Prince or Princess. If they are not bestowed that title they will known as a Lord or Lady with the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
If Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have a son, he will be given the title of Earl of Dumbarton, one of the titles the Queen gave her grandson on his wedding day, according to peerage guide, Debrett’s.
But if the bouncing baby is a girl, she will carry the name
Lady Mountbatten-Windsor, and any subsequent sons, Lord Mountbatten-Windsor.
So technically, under King George V’s decree, none of the couple’s children could legally be a Prince or Princess. It’s only Prince William and Duchess Kate’s first born son Prince George who legitimately fits the rule. Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis would otherwise be known as Lady Charlotte Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Louis Mountbatten-Windsor.
But it all comes down to their great-grandmother’s discretion. The Queen made the decision to bestow the HRH titles to all of Prince William and Kate’s children in 2012. Prince George was born in 2013.
It’s a good bet that the Queen will offer the same courtesy to Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s children. They’ll probably have the surname Sussex after the title bestowed on their parents.
The happy couple’s first born will be the seventh in line to the throne, Prince Harry is the sixth.
Would you like Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s baby to be given an HRH title? Let us know in the comments below.