Archie will become a PRINCE when his grandfather Charles ascends the throne

The new royal Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor will automatically become a prince, but only when his grandfather Prince Charles becomes King.

Archie Harrison, who was born on Monday and revealed to the world yesterday by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, won’t have a royal title like his cousins until the Queen steps down and Charles in made King. 

The reason is a royal decree, made over 100 years ago by the Queen’s grandfather George V in 1917, which  means that Archie will automatically gain HRH status, as will all children and grandchildren on the direct male line of the Sovereign.

Charles’ plans for a slimmed-down monarchy are well documented, and he could issue a new Letters Patent to overturn the George V convention. 

However, a senior source told the Evening Standard that it’s been agreed with Harry and Meghan that Archie will eventually be a prince. 

‘The Sussexes have chosen not to give their children courtesy titles at this time, on the change of reign the George V convention would apply,’ the source said.  

Prince Charles will need to be made King before 

Only the Queen could overturn the decree that would make Archie a prince before then, with a new Letters Patent – which she did for the children of William and Kate. 

When Kate was pregnant with Prince George Queen Elizabeth II issued new Letters Patent on December 31, 2012 declaring that all of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children will have the title of Royal Highness and be styled Princes and Princesses.

The document said: ‘The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 31 December 2012 to declare that all the children of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour.’   

But it is thought that Meghan and Prince Harry are happy to wait for their son to have a royal title until Archie’s grandfather becomes King.

Buckingham Palace has said on the matter of titles: ‘While there are courtesy titles that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex could apply to their son, they have chosen not to give him a courtesy title at this time. So he will be known as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.’ 

Meghan and Harry made their first appearance with their son yesterday as they posed in St George’s Hall in Windsor with him.

Asked who the baby takes after, Meghan said: ‘We’re still trying to figure that out.’

Only the Queen could overturn the decree, with a new Letters Patent – in which she did for the children of William and Kate

Archie Harrison, who was born on Monday and revealed to the world yesterday by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, won’t have a royal titles like his cousins until the Queen steps down and Charles in made King

Harry said: ‘Everyone says that babies change so much over two weeks we’re basically monitoring how the changing process happens over this next month really. But his looks are changing every single day, so who knows.’ 

While many celebrities have taken to social media to congratulate the pair.  

Victoria Beckham, 45, who attended the royal wedding with husband David last year, shared a message with a photo of the Sussex family taken at Windsor Castle.

Meanwhile Peter Andre, 46, seemed particularly taken with little Archie, sharing a string of Instagram posts in quick succession.  

The Duke of Sussex took a break from parenting today as he travelled to the Netherlands to launch next year’s Invictus Games.  

Meghan and Harry made their first appearance with their son yesterday as they posed in St George’s Hall in Windsor with him

The Duke of Sussex took a break from parenting today as he traveled to the Netherlands to launch next year’s Invictus Games