Did the Sussex Children just get Titles?
Bizarre Chain of Events had Royal Reporters Scrambling
It all kicked off in the UK around noon Wednesday - 7am US East Coast time. (the Sussexes tend to time announcements to suit American morning TV…)
People Magazine dropped an exclusive: Harry and Meghan’s daughter had been baptised in California. But - their spokesperson’s statement revealed the real bombshell:
"I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor."
Err… sorry? Princess who?
The Sussexes appeared to have taken it upon themselves, to start using the title “Princess” for their daughter. Note, not “Her Royal Highness” - just “Princess”.
An astonishing development given they’ve spent the last three years turning their complaints about The Royal Family and the institution into a full-time job.
Royal reporters immediately took note and began to scramble, saying they were reaching out to Buckingham Palace for clarification.
The clarification came quite quickly. According to The Times:
The palace said it had been Harry and Meghan’s decision not to use the titles. A source said: “They would have been entitled as male-line grandchildren of the sovereign to use the titles, but their parents decided they did not wish them to be known as prince and princess.”
However, they will not be HRHs. A palace source said: “The use of the style HRH would come through their father and the Duke of Sussex’s HRH is in abeyance.”
The source was referring to the 1917 Letters Patent.
However - HOWEVER - entitled doesn’t always mean automatic, and the decision would usually be made in conversation with the monarch.
Prince Edward’s children were “entitled” but the Wessexes and the late Queen decided against it, no doubt aware that the future of the monarchy was not going to involve distant cousins with titles rambling around old palaces! Remember - Kensington Palace of all places was once called “the aunt heap” because of the minor Royals who took up residence after Queen Victoria.
So why should Harry, no longer a working Royal, no longer living in the UK, no longer even using his HRH, have titles for his children, when the humble and hardworking Earl of Wessex, does not?
I have a theory - and I could be dead wrong - but you have to wonder if they did it to force The King’s hand.
First, I think they believed a christening was necessary, and moved quickly to have her baptised at home. It wasn’t, but Harry and Meghan aren’t known for their knowledge of the British monarchy and were probably unsure. (For instance, you cannot remain in the line of succession if baptised Catholic) There’s a reason news of the christening and the title were lumped together.
Second, Again, just my opinion - I think it’s possible they knew that The King was working on a new Letters Patent on titles, to be released after the coronation. I think it’s possible they were even told, “yes, the 1917 LP says one thing, but changes are being considered, so if you assume them, you may have to quickly drop them, do you really want that?”
This changes the story from a more passive one, to an active, dramatic one. Which, let’s face it, is Harry and Meghan’s typical approach.
Now, if The King issues new Letters Patent after his Coronation, it becomes “Charles strips titles from Sussex children after only weeks!” and it makes The King “the bad guy”, taking titles away from his grandchildren.
It also reignites charges of racism, which Meghan landed during the Oprah interview. (Even though, despite the many cries of “birthright” - the Sussexes already denied their children their birthright, which was for Archie to be an Earl and both to be styled as Lord and Lady.)
So, are Harry and Meghan playing a high stakes gamble, forcing a PR showdown?
Did they think their children would lose their titles with new Letters Patent, and are basically daring The King to remove what was just assumed? Which would create another “evil Charles” narrative in the global press. Do they think this will force him to reconsider, if it is indeed in the works, as most Royal watchers expected? Many Royal experts thought an announcement would come from the palace on titles around or shortly after the Coronation.
If that’s the case, I’m not sure their gamble will pay off. The King has been decisive and forthright since his accession, and knows his job is the health of the monarchy, not being popular “overseas”. He’s survived bad press before and will again.
Also, The King and Prince of Wales clearly have a tight circle. Who predicted the Frogmore Cottage announcement? Just because the palace isn’t constantly talking (like the California couple) doesn’t mean things aren’t in the works.
Just my thoughts, time will tell. Perhaps we’ll get more background on the matter in coming days. Stay tuned! And thanks, as always, for reading!
Indeed. Nothing the Sussexes do which involves Harry's family is done out of a sense of reconciliation or love. Therefore this pre-emptory strike against the king is is just as you say - an effort to portray him in the worst possible light - damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't.
The Sussexes sudden embracing of titles for their children confirms my suspicions at the time that it was the 'Dumb' in Dumbarton which resonated badly with the American half of the couple, as dumb is a word Americans rather than British people use as a derogatory term. There is no other explanation for turning their noses up at using Archie's 'birthright' of the courtesy title of Earl, but now embracing the title of Prince and Princess. It is an awful pity that Harry's history teacher could not reach into his dimwit brain and inculcate an interest in and sense of awe of his own personal place in the history of the British Royal family and in passing get him to reflect on the privileged position he held.
I do not think the gamble will pay off. Bear in mind many people all over the world are tired of the Sussexes rant, ramblings and relevations; what more can they say that people will sit up and take notice of. People are more likely to say "serves them right" when King Charles removes all titles from them.