Here’s Why The New Baby Sussex Will Not Be A HRH

Harry and Meghan would have to get special permission from the Queen.

prince harry meghan markle baby title

by Bonnie McLaren |
Updated on

We now know that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has given birth to a little girl, named Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Details are currently scarce, but what we do know is what the new royal’s title is going to be. Because, unlike Kate and William’s children, Lili and her brother Archie won't have them at all.

But it’s not Harry and Meghan’s fault, and there’s not much they can do about it, either. It’s because great-great-grandparent King George V introduced a rule in 1917 which means their baby will need special permission from the Queen to become a HRH. (The permission that she granted to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.) In December 2012, before Prince William and Kate Middleton had their first born, the Queen used the Letters Patent - a method that allows the sovereign to give orders without involving Parliament - so she could give their kids the prestigious title. The Queen did not do so for Archie, and therefore it can be assumed that she will not do so for Lili.

Infamously, these discussions - and the security implications of Archie not being given HRH status - was part of the couple's decision to leave the UK and their senior royal roles, and so it is unlikely that the pair would reopen those conversations.

George V declared that ‘the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes of these Our Realms.’ This means the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's firstborn, Archie, is too far down the line of succession to be a Royal Highness, as is little Lili.

So, now you know, see below for some of Meghan Markle's best pregnancy looks...

Gallery

Meghan Markle Pregnancy Style

meghan markle pregnant oufits1 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnant oufits

Her last public engagement before the royal baby is due was on Commonwealth Day, where she wore a Victoria Beckham ensemble. Her dress, coat, clutch and satin pumps were all from the designers A/W collection.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby2 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

On International Women's Day, Meghan attended a panel in a Reiss dress paired with an Alexander McQueen blazer. The Stella McCartney cross body bag also matched her Manolo Blahnik pumps.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby3 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

On a visit to Canada House, Meghan sported Canadian designer Erdem. The coat dress was a step away from her usual style.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby4 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

At the Wider Earth Gala, Meghan wore this beautiful Calvin Klein dress with Ralph Lauren 'Celia' pumps and an Amanda Wakeley coat.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby5 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

Sporting the 'Crombie' once more at a Palace reception earlier this month, Meghan's metallic floral dress was paired with a Wilbur & Gussie clutch.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby6 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

This stunning Valentino ensemble designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli. Her dress, cape and VRING bag were all a nod to the designer, while her nude gloves were Gianvito Rossi.

meghan markle pregnancy style7 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

Making a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards calls for a pretty spectacular outfit. Enter this timeless number, which has since set the bar high for one-shoulder gowns.

meghan markle pregnancy style8 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

Meghan visited Smart Works, which one of the four new patronages, wearing a simple maternity dress from Hatch. She paired this with a classic trench coat from Oscar de la Renta, and part-sheer printed heels by Gianvito Rossi. Understated yet elegant.

meghan markle pregnancy style9 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

Whilst attending a Royal Variety performance, Meghan dazzled in a sleek black skirt and monochrome top that featured a floral pattern. We love.

meghan markle pregnancy style10 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

When visiting Birkenhead with her beau Prince Harry, Meghan wore a bright purple dress under this striking red coat by fashion brand Sentaler. Her statement red shoes were from Stuart Weitzman, and we're pretty obsessed with them.

meghan markle pregnant oufits11 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnant oufits

During a visit to Brinsworth House (which is the Royal Variety Charity's residential nursing and care home), Meghan stepped out wearing a clean white floral dress by brand Brock Collection. To beat the chill, she threw on a long grey coat Soia and Kyo, before completing her look with a classic nude clutch and heels.

meghan markle pregnancy style outfits12 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style outfits

Meghan wore a Roland Mouret sequin gown during a visit to watch a charity performance of Cirque du Soleil at Royal Albert Hall. Her sequined evening look was paired with black heels by Stuart Weitzman, and she donned a slicked back bun and bold lips.

meghan markle pregnancy style13 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

Drawing inspiration from her sister-in-law Kate Middleton, Meghan often to wear an affordable cream dress from H&M during a visit to Mayhew, one of her royal patronages. She covered the dress with a smart Armani coat and heels. Chic.

meghan markle pregnancy style14 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

Burgundy is definitely the Duchess' colour! This Club Monaco coat and her collared dress make for a match-made in heaven. And when paired with with black tights and chunky heeled boots, we have a winning winter outfit.

meghan markle pregnancy style15 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

For the final Armistice Day service at Westminster Abbey, Meghan wore an elegant navy skirt and boxed-style shoulder peplum top, complete with a headpiece and large poppy pin.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby16 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

Can we just take a moment for this custom Givenchy outfit? Created for her last royal engagement in New Zealand, Meghan married a classy navy sweater with a pleated maxi skirt which showcased different shades of blue.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby17 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

Attending a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco during her second day of the Morocco tour in February, Meghan wore this stunning Dior gown with diamond earrings and a matching satin clutch.

meghan markle pregnancy18 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy

The Duchess has opted to wear navy on several occasions during her pregnancy, including the time she wore this Antonio Berardi dress with a pair of Aquazzura heels.

meghan markle baby outfits19 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle baby outfits

Yes, Meghan Markle is often spotted wearing heels and princess-worthy gowns, but she's also capable of rocking a more laid-back style with ease. Take this Karen Walker blazer, J.Crew skinny jeans, and practical rain boots as proof.

meghan markle pregnancy20 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy

In New Zealand, Meghan wore this gorgeous plaid trench by Karen Walker. She layered it over a black dress which was sold on ASOS, proving that designer and high-street go hand-in-hand.

meghan markle pregnancy style21 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

For her speech at the Invictus Games closing ceremony, Meghan donned a tailored, olive green dress by the designer Antonio Berardi. She completed her look with a poppy pin.

meghan markle pregnancy outfits22 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy outfits

Meghan accompanied Harry to watch the wheelchair basketball finals at Invictus Games, and donned a casual yet chic outfit. The Duchess proved that a simple pair of skinny jeans and a wrap top are in still very much in style.

meghan markle pregnancy style23 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style

Meghan wowed the crowd at Australian Geographic Society Awards in this flowing Oscar de la Renta gown, which she styled with slingback heels.

meghan markle pregnancy outfits style24 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy outfits style

Have you ever seen a Veronica Beard Cary Dress and blue suede shoes look so chic together?

meghan markle pregnancy outfit25 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy outfit

What does one wear to dinner with the King and Queen of Tonga? Only a white gown by Theia, pumps by Aquazzura and earrings by Birks, of course!

green dress meghan markle pregnancy outfit26 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

green dress meghan markle pregnancy outfit

Whilst attended the unveiling of a statue in honour of a British-Fijan soldier, Meghan chose to wear Jason Wu green mid-length dress with pointed heels and an arm cuff.

blue dress meghan markle pregnancy27 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

blue dress meghan markle pregnancy

The Duchess's eye-catching blue gown by Safiyaa, married with a pair of diamond drop earrings, is one of our favourite Meghan Markle outfits of all-time.

white dress meghan markle pregnancy outfits28 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

white dress meghan markle pregnancy outfits

White 3/4 sleeve dress + matching Stephen Jones fascinator _ straw clutch = Heaven in an outfit.

meghan markle black dress29 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle black dress

We're obsessed with this black Emilia Wickstead dress which features dainty buttons all the way down the middle. And it looks even better when paired with this Philip Treacy fascinator, don't you think?

meghan markle pregnancy style dress30 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy style dress

A striped Martin Grant dress is the only plausible outfit to wear on the beach, right? We certainly think so.

meghan markle outfit pregnancy31 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfit pregnancy

See, we told you that Meghan is a fan of the colour navy. Lots of her dress choices - like this two-toned number by Roksanda - feature varying shades of blue.

meghan markle blue navy dress32 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle blue navy dress

Let's face it: we can't blame Meghan for her love affair with navy - she really does know how to pull the colour off, and it's complementary against her dark hair colour.

meghan markle pregnancy dress33 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle pregnancy dress

When we first saw Meghan wearing this forest green Brandon Maxwell dress, we fell hard in love, and in all honestly, we haven't stopped thinking about it since.

meghan markle34 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle

This classy white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee was the first item that Meghan was spotted in after the news of her pregnancy was confirmed.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby35 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

Truly teaching us how to rock airport style, everyone was obsessed with this low-key look. Carrying the Le Sud leather weekender from Cuyana, she made leggings and trainers look chic by adding a camel coat.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby36 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

This all black look was part of her New York style revival when she visited the city for her baby shower back in February. Carrying a Caroline Herrera bag in nude and matching with nude heels, she looked VERY A-list and we were VERY here for it.

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby37 of 37
CREDIT: Getty

meghan markle outfits pregnancy baby

A casual look for her Morocco tour, Meghan paired an Alice and Olivia Simpson jacket with a Babaton Roland blouse and her classic Manolo Blahnik Carolyne's.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us