Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s Son Archie To Face Dramatic Change When Queen Dies

KEY POINTS

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son will be an HRH when Queen Elizabeth II dies
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn't want a royal title for Archie
The royal couple wants a normal life for their son

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s son will face a dramatic change when Queen Elizabeth II dies.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced in January that they were stepping back as senior members of the royal family. At present, they are living in a secluded area in Los Angeles with their baby.

According to royal expert Iain MacMarthanne, Archie will have to face a huge change when his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, passes away. When Prince Charles takes over the throne, Archie will automatically become HRH even if his parents do not want the royal title for him.

“In the case of Archie things however change on the death of the Queen,” MacMarthanne told Express.

“At that moment, by law, Archie will become whether he chooses to be or not HRH Prince Archie of Sussex for life.”

However, unlike Prince Harry, Archie couldn’t pass his royal title to his kids. The HRH recognition is only exclusive to him.

“At his death, the HRH dies too, he can pass on to any male heir the title Duke of Sussex, but not HRH or Prince. This comes from George V’s letters patent of 1917 regulating the HRH,” the expert added.

If Archie becomes HRH, it would be a blow to Prince Harry and Markle. The two reportedly didn’t want a royal title for Archie, so he could live a normal life. Both are aware of the challenges of being a royal, including the unwanted attention that would follow them simply because they are members of the Firm.

“This is just their attitude that they want a normal life for their children,” royal commentator and biographer Marlene Koenig told Time.

Archie is the closest to the throne without a royal title. He is seventh in line, next to his dad, Prince Harry. Koenig said Queen Elizabeth II wanted a royal title for Prince Harry’s son, but she left the choice to his parents.

“The Queen might not like it, but she’s pretty fair about what her family wants to do. She understands that [Harry and Meghan] will want to have a much more normal life,” Koenig said.