

When naming your kids, thinking about all the obvious ways their names could be twisted into playground taunts is just common sense.
This is apparently why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, conscientious parents that they are, rejected a particular title for their son Archie. "[Archie] could have taken the title [of] the Earl of Dumbarton, which is an honorary title, but [Harry and Meghan] decided against that because they felt that the word ‘dumb’ in the word ‘Dumbarton’ would have been used as mockery when Archie went to school," Andrew Morton, author of Meghan and the Unmasking of the Monarchy tells Us Weekly.
For Morton, this says a lot about the couple. "And again, it shows you their sensitivity to image," the royal expert added. "Which is something, you know, somebody was saying to me the other day that they contacted team Sussex and the first question [the Sussexes] asked was ‘What pictures are you using?’ And that person thought, 'That’s everything you need to know about the Sussexes.'"
The question of whether or not Archie should have been given a title at birth has been a controversial one from the start, with many mixed messages about whether or not he was entitled to one at all. After Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey, there was speculation about whether Archie's race and his skin color had affected the decision not to give him the title of "prince." For Morton, however, this was simply protocol for a great-grandchild of the monarch, as opposed to a grandchild (not that this in any way excuses a royal family member's concern over how "dark" Archie's skin would be).
"Then we get into the whole business of whether or not a member of the Royal family talked about the color of the skin of Archie, whether that was graduated, the darker the skin, the less the protection and the less likely of getting a title," Morton added. "There was, as they both were well aware of, no chance of getting a title until Prince Charles takes over because they’re only given the title of prince or princess [as] the son or grandson of the reigning sovereign and Archie was a great-grandson of the reigning sovereign."
RELATED STORIES
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
The Unexpected Character in Season Six of ‘The Crown’? Princess Diana’s Swimsuits
"The swimsuit is the new ball gown.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Spain’s Queen Letizia Masters the Wintery White Pantsuit for Royal Engagement Celebrating Her Former Career
Before she was a member of the Spanish royal family, Letizia was an accomplished journalist.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Made Us Do a Double Take in A Pink and Black Bodycon Dress
Chopra Jonas—along with a slew of other celebrities—were on hand for the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Nearly Four Years After Leaving the U.K., Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are “Embarking On a Total System Reboot”
“They are all about the future.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Even Though the Sussexes Knew They Weren’t On the Same Page with Spotify, They Still Signed $20M Deal Because They “Needed Serious Money,” Author Claims
“The money was on the table, and they were in a desperate place.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Princess of Wales and Meghan Markle Haven’t Spoken Since 2019, New Book Claims—and Yes, That Includes at Joint Appearances
The “silence was palpable” as Kate and Meghan rode in a car together to Windsor Castle for a walkabout after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Now We Know Why Meghan Markle Didn’t Attend King Charles’ Coronation Last May
In his new book, ‘Endgame,’ Omid Scobie explains that Meghan has no intention of returning to England anytime soon—or possibly ever.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Meghan Markle Almost Wore a Tiara That Would Have Poignantly Honored Princess Diana
Instead, Queen Elizabeth insisted that Meghan choose from her personal collection.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Meghan Markle Named Not Just One But Two Members of the Royal Household Who Made Comments About Prince Archie’s Skin Tone in Correspondence with King Charles
And Omid Scobie said he knows who the two are.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Royals Have a Footwear Brand That Both Kate *and* Meghan Love
Meghan kickstarted the trend; Kate now owns six different styles.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
King Charles and Meghan Markle Are in Touch Via Text, Royal Author Shares
Meghan mostly sends over messages about a particular topic.
By Rachel Burchfield