Here’s why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby WON’T be a Prince or Princess

Unless The Queen steps in!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle baby

by Alex Ross |
Updated on

The world was delighted this morning (Monday 15th October) when Kensington Palace confirmed the wonderful news that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are expecting their first child together. But unlike his brother Prince William's children, Prince Harry's new arrival WON'T be given the title of a little Prince or Princess.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby, which is due in Spring 2019, will be seventh in the line to the throne, and therefore too far down the line to be in succession to be an HRH, unless The Queen intervenes.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
©Prince Harry and Meghan Markle © Rex/Shuttershock

This is due to King George V, Prince Harry's great-great grandfather, limiting titles within the Royal family in 1917 when he said, "The grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms."

Instead of getting a Prince or Princess title, Harry and Meghan's baby will most likely hold the Earl of Dumbarton title (if it's a boy), or Lady (name) Mountbatten-Windsor (if it's a girl).

HOWEVER, this could all change if The Queen decides to step in, just like she did for Prince William and Kate Middleton's children. Before Prince George was born in 2013, The Queen issued a Letters Patent, meaning the Cambridge children were able to be given the titles of Prince and Princess, instead of Lord and Lady.

Princess Charlotte and Prince George
©Princess Charlotte and Prince George © Rex/Shuttershock

Meanwhile, after weeks of speculation, Kensington Palace announced this morning that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their first child together in Spring 2018.

Announcing the news on the official Kensington Palace Twitter account, the message read, 'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.'

The lovely news comes just months after the loved-up couple married in a stunning ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor back in May.

Rumours of a pregnancy were then fueled even further last week when Meghan attended Princess Eugenie's wedding to Jack Brooksbank in a loose fitting coat, with the couple reportedly telling their family the news at the reception.

See all of the guests arriving at Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding:

Gallery

Princess Eugenie Wedding Guests - Slider

Pixie Geldof and Jack Brooksbank1 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Pixie Geldof and Jack Brooksbank

Jimmy Carr and Karoline Copping2 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Jimmy Carr and Karoline Copping

Richard Bacon3 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Richard Bacon

Tracey Emin4 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Tracey Emin

Chelsea Davy5 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Chelsea Davy

Heather Kerzner6 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Heather Kerzner

David Emmanuel7 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

David Emmanuel

Naomi Campbell8 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Naomi Campbell

Liv Tyler and Dave Gardner9 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Liv Tyler and Dave Gardner

Ollie Proudlock and Emma Louise Connolly10 of 15
CREDIT: REX/Shutterstock

Ollie Proudlock and Emma Louise Connolly

Owain Walbyoff and Natalie Pinkham11 of 15

Owain Walbyoff and Natalie Pinkham

Ellie Goulding12 of 15

Ellie Goulding

Cressida Bonas13 of 15

Cressida Bonas

James Blunt and Sofia Wellesley14 of 15

James Blunt and Sofia Wellesley

Robbie Williams and Ayda Williams15 of 15

Robbie Williams and Ayda Williams

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently out in Australia for their first Royal tour together, so no doubt we will get a glimpse of her bump very soon!

Congratulations to the happy couple! 👶

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