She may have married a prince, but the new Duchess of Sussex will never be Princess Meghan – unless the Queen reverses centuries of tradition.
So what will Meghan’s title be now she has married Prince Harry?
Her official title is Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Wales, taken from her husband’s name.
Anybody in the Royal Family who is below sixth in line to the throne, which is Harry’s position, will have to bow or curtsy to the newest royal couple when they are together.
That means Prince Andrew, who is now seventh after the birth of Prince Louis in April, will have to bow to the couple.
When Meghan is not with Harry, she will revert to being called the Duchess of Sussex.
At those times, she will have to curtsy to anybody above her in the royal lineage, which includes Kate as she is married to Prince William, who is second in the line of succession after Prince Charles.
Why not Princess Meghan?
The 36-year-old former actress will not be known as Princess Meghan because of rules governing the monarchy which say only those with royal blood can use the title of Prince or Princess followed by their first name.
Why did Princess Diana get the title then?
Diana was given the title Princess of Wales, a courtesy title held by the wife of the Prince of Wales – in this case her then husband, Prince Charles.
After they divorced she was called Diana, Princess of Wales.
She was never officially named Princess Diana because she does not have royal blood, but was widely known in the media as Princess Diana, or Princess Di.
Could Harry and Meghan’s children, if they have them, be princes and princesses?
Because their children would have royal blood, they would automatically become a prince or princess.
Until recently, the rules for William and Kate’s children meant only Prince George would have been a prince and his younger sister, Princess Charlotte, would have been Lady Charlotte Mountbatten-Windsor.
However, the Queen intervened when Kate was pregnant with George in 2012 and issued a new patent to alter the fact that only the first-born boy could be a prince.
It stated: “All 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.”
Could the Queen do the same for Harry’s children?
As the Royal Family places more emphasis on equality, it is highly possible the Queen could intervene with another decree if, or when, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex have children.
(Sky News)
