Harry and Meghan’s decision to use Prince and Princess titles for Archie and Lilibet is a ‘predictable’ move which ‘proves Harry is still a monarchist’, royal expert claims
- Tessa Dunlop claimed it proved couple’s connection to the royals is ‘priceless’
- Statement from the Sussexes confirmed they had christened ‘Princess Lilibet’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to refer to their children as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet is a ‘predictable’ move that shows their connection to the British royal family is ‘priceless’ despite the Sussexes’ recent attacks on the monarchy, an expert has claimed.
Tessa Dunlop, a royal historian, said the couple’s decision to use Archie and Lilibet’s titles is not a surprise – after a spokesman for the Sussexes referred to their youngest child as ‘Princess Lilibet’ for the first time today.
She said that, despite Prince Harry launching scathing attacks on the royal family in his $100 million Netflix docuseries and bombshell memoir, Spare, the decision is ‘proof’ that the Duke remains a monarchist.
It comes as Duke and Duchess confirmed they held one-year-old Lili’s christening in Montecito, California last Friday, with around 20-30 guests invited to their $14.7 million mansion for a party.
Earlier today a spokesman for the couple confirmed the christening had taken place, while People magazine reported the King and Queen Consort and Prince and Princess of Wales received an invitation but did not attend.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured) have taken a ‘predictable’ step in using Archie and Lilibet’s princely titles, a royal historian told The Mirror. The couple confirmed today that they had christened their youngest daughter Lilibet Diana last Friday in a statement which referred to her as ‘Princess Lilibet’
Harry and Meghan’s youngsters became a prince and princess when the King acceded to the throne, but have remained a plain ‘master’ and ‘miss’ on the Buckingham Palace website for the past six months.
The Palace confirmed the site’s line of succession list will now be updated to reflect the change after a spokesman for the Sussexes publicly referred to Lili as a princess for the first time today when announcing news of her christening.
Speaking to The Mirror, Ms Dunlop said: “For those of you in any doubt that Harry remains at his core a monarchist, here’s the proof: his daughter Lilibet has just been christened Princess Lilibet Diana in California.
“The Sussexes have subsequently confirmed that they intend to use the titles of prince and princess for their son Archie and daughter Lilibet.’
Lilibet Diana and her older brother Archie inherited prince and princess titles when King Charles took the throne. Buckingham Palace today confirmed their titles will be updated on the website to reflect the line of succession. Pictured: The family on their 2021 Christmas card
She added that the move was ‘predictable’ after Harry and Meghan kept their Duke and Duchess titles despite stepping down as senior royals and moving to the US.
Although Prince Harry, 38, has launched several attacks on the Royal Family in the last few months, he has argued that he believes in the monarchy.
During a sit-down interview with ITV journalist Tom Bradby ahead of the publication of Spare, Mr Bradby asked him the question, to which Harry replied: ‘Yes.’
However when the journalist continued: ‘Do you believe you will play a part in its future?’ he responded: ‘I don’t know.’
Less that 24 hours after Lilibet’s christening, Harry hosted an online Q&A to promote his memoir Spare – and may have had christening guests staying in his mansion while it happened.
It comes after the prince launched yet another salvo, telling controversial physician Dr Gabor Mate that he was starved of hugs and attention during his ‘incredibly painful’ childhood.
In an interview with Dr Mate to promote his memoir, Spare, that was streamed live – and cost viewers £19 a ticket – he also lamented his ‘broken-home upbringing’ and how he felt ‘different’ to the rest of his family.
The Mail understands that Harry and Meghan’s former UK home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor – which the King is said to have taken from them – will be available for them to stay in should they fly to England to attend.
Lili, as she is called by her parents, was christened by the Bishop of Los Angeles, the Reverend John Taylor. He is the most senior member of the California Episcopal church, which is an Anglican domination with links to the Church of England.
It is not believed that any other current members of the Royal Family have been baptised by the Episcopal Church.
Meghan was a Catholic growing up – before being baptised and confirmed into the Church of England in 2018.
It is also understood Lilibet’s HRH will be ‘held in abeyance’, which describes a state of temporary disuse. Harry and Meghan are no longer HRH after Megxit because they quit as working royals.
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