The Shocking Reason Prince Harry Was A 'Commoner' Before Marrying Meghan Markle

While the world speculates whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will give up their royal titles, a shocking revelation has been made. As it turns out, Harry was actually legally considered a commoner before he married.

Although the 35-year-old was still viewed as a royal, he was also a commoner due to the peerage system. This system in the United Kingdom is a legal system comprised of both hereditary and lifetime titles.

Royal expert Marlene Koenig explained to Harper's Bazaar that there are only five notable ranks -- Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron -- and without one of those titles, despite being royal, Prince Harry was technically a commoner.

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"Royals who are not peers are legally commoners," Koenig explained. "Prince Harry was a commoner until he was created Duke of Sussex."

She continued, "In English law, the only people who are not commoners are the Sovereign and peers of the realm."

So, as Express so nicely summed it up, "the British peerage system states that anyone who is not a peer (a Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, or a Baron) is legally a commoner."

It's only been two years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but the seemingly relentless criticism they've faced has some wondering if the couple will give up, not just the titles, but royal life altogether.

However, what that life would look like for the parents of 5-month-old Archie is "uncharted territory," according to royal expert Joe Little.