
There's no doubt that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's baby (opens in new tab) will be a little prince or princess in all of our hearts. There is still plenty of doubt, however, about if that baby will officially be a little His or Her Royal Highness (opens in new tab).
In the end, like so many other things in the royal family, it will all come down to what Queen Elizabeth II feels like doing. Here's how it works: For the longest time, with the exception of the first son of the Prince of Wales (right now, of course, that's Prince Charles and his firstborn son, Prince William (opens in new tab)), no new royal was really guaranteed a fancy pants HRH title. Before Prince George was born in 2013, the Queen changed the rules to include all of the kids of the direct heir. This is why Charlotte is officially, and automatically, a princess.
Unlike William, however, Harry is not directly in line for the throne. In order for Harry to become King Harry, there would have to be several abdications or a lot of tragedy—neither of which is likely. That means, of course, that it's even less likely that Harry's kids will ever assume the throne. As a result, their HRH titles are not automatic or guaranteed, but at the Queen's discretion.
And, according to Express (opens in new tab), there are rumblings that Elizabeth won't bestow a royal title on Harry and Meghan's kids (opens in new tab). This is probably not a snub from the Queen, however. If Harry and Meghan's kids don't get the HRH title, it's probably because they didn't want the kids to have it.
“I am determined to have a relatively normal life, and if I am lucky enough to have children they can have one too," Harry explained in 2017. "We don’t want to be just a bunch of celebrities but instead use our role for good."
There's precedent for this, too. Will and Harry's cousins don't all have official royal titles. Prince Andrew reportedly wanted princess titles for his daughter, Eugenie and Beatrice, so they got them. Princess Anne's kids, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, however, don't have them. So it's clear that Elizabeth takes the parents' preference into consideration.
If it's not Harry and Meghan's choice, it might come down to Prince Charles' preference.
"Charles might have decided only the children of his eldest son are to be HRH," a source said, according to Express (opens in new tab).
We'll just have to wait and see, of course, if Harry and Meghan's kids use a royal title or not.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Hairstylists Agree: These Are the Biggest Hair Trends for 2023
It’s the year of sleek, statement-making styles and baby bangs.
By Samantha Holender
-
Rita Ora Breaks Down the Beauty Symbolism in “You Only Love Me”
The singer talks to Marie Claire about her favorite Iconic London products, the hidden meaning behind her bridal beauty glam, and why Sophia Loren was the inspiration for her “playful” makeup.
By Samantha Holender
-
The Most Eagerly Anticipated Action Movies of 2023
It's going to be an exciting spring for action movie fans.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
King Charles Will Not Hold "Peace Talks" With Harry and Meghan Before the Coronation, Royal Expert Claims
Oh.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Diana's Butler Responds to Prince Harry Referring to Him as "The Butler" in 'Spare'
Paul Burrell says he's confused and hurt.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Eugenie's New Baby Will Allow the Royal Family to "Put Behind Them a Year of Sorrow and Conflict," Astrologer Says
All good things!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry "Should Have Been Prince William's Wingman," Has Become His "Hitman" Instead, Royal Expert Says
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
There's No Chance of Reconciliation Between Prince Harry and His Family "In the Short Term," Royal Expert Claims
Urgh.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Is Likely to Feel "Overwhelmed" by Her Responsibilities This Year, Astrologer Says
...relatable.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry Will "Be Able to Build Bridges" With Certain Members of the Royal Family in 2023, Astrologer Claims
We shall see.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Just Revealed Her Workout Routine Involves Trampolining With Her Kids
I love this.
By Iris Goldsztajn