Will Harry and Meghan Markle's second child have a royal title?
The baby on the way, eighth in the line of succession to the throne, could get a title when Charles becomes king, as the grandson of the sovereign. Provided that the parents want it. Which seems really unlikely given that the Sussexes have declined all the "courtesy titles" for the eldest son Archie
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle announced last Valentine's Day that they are expecting their second child. And now royal observers are asking: Will the baby on the way have a title? For sure, when he is born, he will be in eighth position in the line of succession to the throne, after his little brother Archie.
When the firstborn was born in May 2019, the Sussexes decided not to give him any title, to ensure the little one a life as normal as possible. Archie could have been an earl, Earl Dumbarton, one of Dad Harry's titles granted by Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day. Or he could be Lord. The Dukes of Sussex have declined all courtesy titles: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, despite being royal, is "only" the seventh heir to the throne of England.
However, thanks to an ancient Windsor custom, when Charles of England becomes king, both Archie and the incoming little brother (or sister) - as grandsons of the sovereign - could receive a title, if Harry and Meghan so desired. . The thing - especially now that the Sussex have definitively told the royal family, thus losing patronage and military posts - appears very unlikely.
Not even Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's son, little August, has a royal title. Because the titles are handed down on the men's line, and Jack doesn't own any. However, things could change if her Majesty decided to grant Eugenie's husband a county or if she issued a patent letter, that is one of those measures that do not need the conversion into law by the government. In 2012 with a patent letter from her Majesty she established that all the children of William and Kate Middleton would enjoy the title of Royal Highness. Not only George, the only one who had the right as the queen's first grandson, but also Charlotte and Louis. In the past, the exception had already been made for the two daughters of Prince Andrew, Eugenie and Beatrice, at the request of their father.
Princess Anne of England, on the other hand, did not want titles for her children, Zara and Peter Phillips. Because she dreamed that they would have a life as free and "normal" as possible. Harry and Meghan, for their children, want the same.
