The titles and future public roles of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, continue to be a subject of public interest. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no longer working members of the British royal family, their children received royal titles following the accession of King Charles III in September 2022.
As discussions around titles and royal roles unfold, it is essential to clarify what is known through official sources and reporting from credible news outlets, and to distinguish between verified facts and public speculation.
How Archie and Lilibet Received Royal Titles
Under longstanding royal tradition, the titles of “Prince” and “Princess” are granted to grandchildren of the reigning monarch through the male line. This precedent was set by King George V in 1917 and continues under King Charles III.
Upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III in September 2022, Harry and Meghan’s children became eligible for these titles. In March 2023, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that their daughter would be styled as Princess Lilibet Diana of Sussex following her christening in California. This was reported by BBC News and The Guardian.
The official royal family website was updated accordingly to reflect the changes in the children’s titles.
Do Archie and Lilibet Hold HRH Styles?
While Archie and Lilibet now use the titles of Prince and Princess, they do not currently hold the “His/Her Royal Highness” (HRH) style. According to Buckingham Palace, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles after stepping back from senior royal duties in early 2020. However, they agreed to no longer use their HRH styles in an official capacity, as stated in the January 2020 royal statement.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation that Archie or Lilibet use HRH styles, nor has the Palace released further guidance on their usage.
Status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal Duties
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their roles as working royals in 2020. This decision was formalized in an agreement with Buckingham Palace commonly referred to as the “Sandringham Summit.” According to statements published by the Palace, the couple would no longer receive public funding for royal duties, and they would no longer represent the monarchy in any official capacity.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex later moved to the United States, where they have pursued various business and philanthropic projects, including partnerships with Netflix, Spotify, and the founding of the Archewell Foundation, which supports charitable causes such as mental health, media integrity, and gender equity.
Public Commentary on Children’s Royal Titles
Discussions about the couple’s decision to allow their children to hold royal titles have sparked commentary in the media and among royal experts. Some commentators have questioned the motivations behind maintaining the titles, especially given the couple’s public criticisms of certain aspects of the monarchy.
However, the couple themselves have not made any recent official statements about their children’s future involvement with the royal family or whether they anticipate Archie and Lilibet becoming working royals as adults.
In an interview with The Cut in 2022, Meghan discussed her family’s move to the U.S. and emphasized the importance of privacy and security for their children. She also noted concerns about institutional decisions relating to titles and protection. However, no direct public claim has been made by the couple about holding up of passport applications due to title usage. Therefore, any suggestion regarding delayed travel documents remains unverified and unsubstantiated by official records.
Children’s Future as Working Royals: What We Know
As of now, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are both minors—born in 2019 and 2021 respectively—and no formal decisions have been made or announced regarding whether they will take on official royal duties in the future.
The British royal family typically allows its members to make their own decisions regarding royal roles when they reach adulthood. For example, Princess Anne’s children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, were not given royal titles and have lived private lives. Similarly, other younger royals such as Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, have had the option to adopt royal titles upon reaching adulthood but have not pursued them publicly.
Thus, any discussion of Archie and Lilibet’s future involvement with the royal family is speculative at this stage, as no official plans have been made public.
Passport Concerns: No Confirmed Link to Titles
Several media outlets have discussed claims that Meghan and Harry allegedly faced delays in obtaining British passports for their children due to the inclusion of royal titles in the applications. However, the U.K. Home Office does not typically comment on individual passport applications, and no official confirmation has been issued by either the Home Office or Buckingham Palace regarding such a situation.
As noted by The Independent, British citizens are entitled to apply for passports regardless of their titles, and passport delays may occur for various routine reasons unrelated to one’s status or title.
Final Thoughts: A Personal and Evolving Situation
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have consistently voiced their intention to raise their children with a focus on wellbeing, security, and personal choice. In the public interviews they have given, they have emphasized creating a life of meaning and integrity away from the rigid structure of the monarchy.
As of mid-2025, there is no official indication that Prince Archie or Princess Lilibet will undertake royal duties in the future. Their use of royal titles is consistent with existing protocols, and any decisions about their future roles will ultimately be made when they are older, in accordance with their personal wishes and broader family agreements.
Verified Sources:
- BBC News – Princess Title for Lilibet Confirmed
- The Guardian – Update on Royal Titles
- Royal.uk – Official Statement on The Sussexes (2020)
- Archewell Foundation Official Website
- The Independent – Royal Title and Passport Claims
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