King Charles has not decided
whether to allow Archie and Lilibet to use their Prince and Princess titles, it
has been claimed. The move has reportedly stoked tensions with Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle, who are living in California after quitting royal duties in
2020.
The Sussexes are said to fear
Charles may strip their two children of their titles after he did not
immediately recognize them following the late Queen’s death.
As the children of the
monarch’s son, Archie, three, and Lili, one, are automatically now a Prince and
Princess and entitled to use His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness styles.
But they are still listed on
the Royal Family’s official website as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss
Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.
Harry and his father
reportedly had a “brief discussion” after the late Queen’s death
about what he wanted for his children.
The Duke of Sussex is said to
have made clear he wanted to let Archie and Lilibet decide when they are older,
meaning they would need to retain the titles for now.
But the Sussexes were
reportedly left unhappy as the conversation ended unresolved.
A royal source told the Sunday
Times: “For [Buckingham Palace] not to make those changes suggests that
something is off. Why not just change everything and do it in that moment?”
In his first address to the
nation as King the day after the late Queen died, Charles made Prince William
and Kate the Prince and Princess of Wales, with the update reflected on the
Royal Family’s website.
A spokesman for the King
previously said: “The King is focused on the mourning period. It’s unlikely
you’ll know other titles during that period. I’m sure at some point there will
be discussions.”
