Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Scottish Titles Are the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton

We know Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (opens in new tab) by their official royal titles (opens in new tab): The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Apparently though, those titles don't carry over everywhere in the world—or even everywhere in the United Kingdom.

When Harry and Meghan (opens in new tab) visit the Queen at her fave vacation spot, Balmoral Castle (opens in new tab), in Scotland this summer, for example, they'll be known as the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton.

Yes, seriously.

According to The Sun (opens in new tab), the couple were bestowed their Scottish titles when they tied the knot back in 2018, but haven't actually had a chance to visit Dumbarton yet, in spite of their earldom there.

"Whilst in Scotland, Harry and Meghan are known as the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton," a royal source told the paper, and clearly, any source who uses "whilst" in conversation has to know their stuff, right?

Being named Earl of Dumbarton (opens in new tab) is rare, according to The Sun (opens in new tab), and Harry is only the third Earl the small town has ever had and the title hadn't been used for 300 years before the Queen bestowed it on Harry.

"It’s understood that Harry and Meghan have been invited by the Lord Lieutenant [Michael Gregory OBE] but they have yet to accept it," a royal source told the Daily Record. "A visit from them would no doubt give the area a boost."

Time to set some alerts for Dumbarton Royal, right?

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

subscribe here (opens in new tab)