Prince Archie, five years old, and Princess Lilibet, three, are being raised as citizens of California, even though their father belongs to the British royalty. However, the children are unaware that they have royal titles.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ceased to be members of the royal family in 2020, but Harry and his children remain fifth, sixth, and seventh in the line of succession to the British throne respectively.
Real titles of Lilibet and Archie
In March 2023, the Sussexes publicly announced the title of Lilibet for the first time when they revealed that she had been baptized in a private ceremony at their home in Montecito.
According to US Weekly, Harry and Meghan have not explained their royal heritage to their children, and a friend told the magazine that the couple "will have those conversations in due time," while adding that the Sussexes want Archie and Lilibet to be loved for who they are as individuals.
The source added some details about their personalities: "They are very well-mannered. Archie is sweet, curious, and playful, and Lili is vibrant and happy."
Rules of the British royalty
The title rules established by King George V in 1917 mean that Archie and Lilibet, as children of a son of a sovereign, automatically became prince and princess when Charles became king.
It is understood that children's titles will be used in formal settings.
Archie was born in London and lived the first five months of his life in the Sussex's former home in Windsor, Frogmore Cottage, and Lilibet arrived on June 4, 2021 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
In June 2022, the Sussexes celebrated the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in London, which also coincided with Lilibet’s first birthday.