Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is Queen Elizabeth’s great-grandson. His father, Prince Harry, is sixth in line to the British throne; his mother, Meghan Markle is the Duchess of Sussex. Yet for all these deep royal connections, Archie is not a prince.
Unlike his first cousins—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—Archie doesn’t even have an HRH title. He is referred to as “Master Archie,” per Daily Mail‘s royals editor.
Speaking to Oprah during a two-hour interview special, Meghan Markle revealed the truth behind this decision—and alluded to the fact that it might have had to do with Archie’s race and the potential color of his skin. The prevailing narrative in the media at the time of Archie’s birth was that Harry and Markle intentionally opted for Archie to forego a royal title. In fact, Markle said, this was not the case: The decision was made for them. “It was not our decision to make,” Markle said.
The question of title was also wrapped up in other pressing matters. Since the unborn child was not to receive an HRH title, he or she would also not receive security. “Having the title gives you the safety and protection,” she explained. Security concerns were partly the reason that Markle and Harry did not take photos at the hospital after Archie was born, like William and Kate have done with their children.
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