Granting royal titles is a complicated exercise, especially concerning the great-grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II, the reigning monarch of the United Kingdoms. And it is more convoluted if the British royalty is to anoint someone whose maternal side is of African American Descent.
The Duchess of Sussex recently made a jaw-dropping revelation in a celebrity interview claiming that Buckingham Palace refused to bestow the title of a prince to the first-born child. Meghan, wife of Prince Harry and born of African American descent, said that she was hurt by the racism still institutionalized within the Monarchy.
One can trace the protocol for bestowing title to Harry’s great-great-grandfather King George V in 1917. The rules laid by the king were designed to limit the number of titles of the royal family. This was limited to only those in direct succession to the throne who could get the HRH (His or Her Royal Highness)title.
The patent says that only the grandchildren of any sovereign son in direct male lineage, in this case, the eldest living son of the Prince of Wales eldest son will enjoy the title.
This means Prince Harry and Meghan’s son is too deep down the line of succession to the throne to be called a prince rightfully at birth. Still, Queen Elizabeth could have amended this as she did for the three children of Prince William and Middleton Kate. Archie is seventh in line presently to the throne though it will change over time.
The rules laid down by George V stipulated that only Prince George, who was the eldest among the Cambridge children, could receive the prince title. This was modified by Queen Elizabeth II, which allowed all Cambridge heirs to get the HRH titles. A case in point is Princess Charlotte and Prince Louise, who carry them. The Queen has, however, not stepped in to make Archie a prince like his Cambridge cousins.
The Queen’s youngest son Prince Edwards, offspring and daughter Princess Anne’s children did not get the title of prince and princess though they were entitled to it. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was entitled to have his son the earl or lord prefix upon his birth.
Meghan, in the interview, expressed her disappointment about Archie not being made the prince as it meant he had no right to security. She said that Archie, the first colored member of the Royal family, should be treated at par with his Cambridge cousins, the children of William and Kate. Meghan feels that if the prince’s title makes her son safe, he should get it tough the decision is not in the couple’s hands.
However, there has been speculation that Harry and Meghan wanted their son Archie to forgo the title and lead a normal life outside the royal spotlight – which the couple is struggling with.
