Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued a new statement in which they justify their decision to formally bestow the titles of prince and princess on their two children, Archie, three, and Lililibet, 21 months.
Notwithstanding the fact that the pair only announced the subject yesterday, the Duke and Duchess stated that it had been settled for some time’ with King Charles.
They said: “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became Monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”
Yesterday, Harry and Meghan released a surprise statement confirming their daughter had been christened in a private ceremony in California. But hidden within the statement was their decision to adopt the titles for their children, as the 21-month-old was referred to as “Princess Lilibet Diana”.
“I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor,” a spokeswoman for the pair told People magazine.
That is the first time the couple has referred to either of their children as prince or princess, putting an end to a long dispute on the subject.
In a ‘secret chat’ following the Queen’s funeral last year, the King is claimed to have assured Prince Harry that his children will be able to be addressed as prince and princess.
Their 21-month-old daughter Lilibet, on the other hand, had her royal title of ‘Princess’ used properly for the first time yesterday when the couple announced she had been baptized in California without Charles, Camilla, William, or Kate in attendance.