Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Jennifer Newton

Archie and Lilibet's title statement missed key word featured in Edward's, says expert

King Charles has approved a string of new titles for several of his family members - but in very differing circumstances.

First, it was revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children are now known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - following a statement from the Sussexes confirming Lilibet had been christened.

Then days later, it was announced that Prince Edward was being granted the title Duke of Edinburgh after his late father Prince Philip, making his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

This announcement came from Buckingham Palace and revealed how Charles was "pleased" to confer the title on his younger brother.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children Archie and Lilibet (alexilubomirski/Instagram)
Edward and Sophie the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (PA)

And according to royal expert and editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine Ingrid Seward, the difference between the announcements was "stark" with one word missing from Archie and Lilibet's.

She told the Mirror: "The contrast between the way in which Harry and Meghan released the news of their children's royal titles and the way King Charles announced his brother's ennoblement was stark.

"King Charles issued a formal statement from Buckingham Palace to say he was 'pleased' to confer the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar.

King Charles with Edward and Sophie last year (UGC MEN)

"It was such a grand announcement it felt as if it were in a gilded frame pinned to the Buckingham Palace railings.

"Harry and Meghan on the other hand asked their spokesperson to announce when their 21-month-old daughter Lilibet was christened in Los Angeles last week she would be baptised using the royal style princess. Archie in turn would use the style, Prince."

Meanwhile, Ingrid notes it was "interesting" Harry and Meghan waited six months to announce their children's new titles - and believes they were waiting for Buckingham Palace to "jump the gun".

Harry and Meghan announced their children's new titles (AFP via Getty Images)

She added: "They have been allowed to use this style since their great-grandmother died, but their parents have chosen not to until now. How interesting they waited six months to do this.

"They were hoping the Palace would jump the gun and announce it before they did. No such luck. Buckingham Palace left its website intact and allowed the Sussexes to make the move themselves so they couldn't complain.

"It is so much easier to do things in the traditional style. Edward knew he was going to get the title as his late father had requested. The King bided his time until the moment was right. Edward's birthday two months before the coronation was the perfect moment.

"Beforehand might have been too close to the late Queen’s death on September 8 last year. Any later and it might have had to wait until the day of the Coronation.

"The royal website was updated a couple of days after the Sussexes' announcement.

"No one is going to push the traditions of the Monarchy aside. Wanting the perks without the responsibility never works.

"Archie and Lilibet will learn this one day and then make their own choices."

Ingrid Seward is editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and a royal biographer.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.