Why Lilibet and Archie are now allowed to hold royal titles

Lilibet Diana, the daughter of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, has been christened in California and will bear a royal title. The couple announced for the first time that they will use royal titles - Prince for son Archie, who is almost four, and Princess for Lilibet Diana, who will be two in May.

The titles are their "birthright since their grandfather became monarch," quoted the British radio station LBC on Thursday from a statement by the couple. The matter had been settled for some time in agreement with Buckingham Palace.

The website of the British royal family now lists the two as "Prince Archie of Sussex" and "Princess Lilibet of Sussex" in sixth and seventh place in line to the throne.

Harry and Meghan are dubbed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The question of whether her two children should also receive royal titles was at times considered controversial. According to the rules, they were only entitled to it after the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of her grandfather Charles. The regulation dates from the time of King George V in 1917, who wanted to limit the number of princes and princesses at the time.

In an interview with US talk show legend Oprah Winfrey in spring 2021, Meghan expressed concern that the rules could be tightened and Archie and Lilibet would have to do without titles entirely. The fact that there is now agreement on this issue could be interpreted as a sign that the fronts in the family quarrel between Harry and Meghan and the other royals may not be as hardened as some assume.