What the names Archie and Lilibet refer to
Archie and Lilibet are the names of two closely related members of the British royal family: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, born 6 May 2019, and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, born 4 June 2021. Archie is the son of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Lilibet is his younger sister. Both were born in the United States and, as descendants in the senior line of the Sovereign, they were entitled to the courtesy titles that follow royal protocol for great-grandchildren in the male line. This article explains the titles each holds, how these styles compare with similar family arrangements, and how usage reflects formal royal protocols rather than legal or substantive status changes.
Archie’s title and style
At birth, Archie was entitled to the title Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor as a male-line great-grandchild of the Sovereign. This is the courtesy style used before any peerage or royal title. When his grandfather Prince Charles (now King Charles III) created his son Prince Harry Duke of Sussex in May 2018, Archie became styled as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, son of the Duke of Sussex. Following his parents’ wedding in 2018 and the subsequent agreement with the monarch, he was granted the substantive style of His Royal Highness Prince Archie of Sussex, with the accompanying HRH. In practice he is commonly referred to as Master Archie or simply Archie, and his official surname for most purposes is Mountbatten-Windsor. He is sixth in line to the British throne as of 2024.
Archie: key title details at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth name and date | Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, 6 May 2019 | Official birth record and palace statement |
| Style at birth | Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor | Royal protocol guidance for great-grandchildren |
| HRH grant | Conferred around time of birth; styled His Royal Highness Prince Archie of Sussex | Palace announcement and family statement |
| Commonly used forms | Master Archie; Archie; Prince Archie (informal usage) | Media and palace usage |
| Line of succession | Sixth in line, behind parents and grandparents | Official succession registry updates |
Lilibet’s title and style
Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born to the same parents on 4 June 2021. As the daughter of a Duke and Duchess of Sussex and a female-line great-grandchild in the senior line of the Sovereign, she holds the courtesy title Lady Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor at birth. Following the precedent set for Archie, she was also granted the substantive style of Her Royal Highness Princess Lilibet of Sussex, with the accompanying HRH. She is commonly referred to as Lilibet or Princess Lilibet. Her official surname remains Mountbatten-Windsor for most civil purposes. She is seventh in line to the throne as of 2024.
Lilibet: key title details at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth name and date | Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, 4 June 2021 | Official birth record and palace statement |
| Style at birth | Lady Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor | Royal protocol guidance for female great-grandchildren |
| HRH grant | Conferred around time of birth; styled Her Royal Highness Princess Lilibet of Sussex | Palace announcement and family statement |
| Commonly used forms | Lilibet; Princess Lilibet | Media and palace usage |
| Line of succession | Seventh in line, behind older siblings and grandparents | Official succession registry updates |
Why these styles follow royal protocol
The styles for Archie and Lilibet originate in long-standing rules about how great-grandchildren of the Sovereign are styled. Under current practice, male-line great-grandchildren carry HRH and the title of Prince or Princess with an associated territorial designation, while female-line great-grandchildren typically carry Lady or, in some cases, HRH and Princess with a territorial designation when specifically elevated by the monarch. The Sussex children’s formal styles were confirmed around their births and reflect continuity with earlier grants such as those given to the children of the Prince of Wales. The titles include both a substantive element (Prince/Princess of Sussex) and a courtesy surname (Mountbatten-Windsor) used in civil contexts. This approach preserves distinction without altering legal nationality or citizenship.
How Archie and Lilibet compare to similar royal families
Children of a Duke and Duchess typically receive courtesy titles reflecting that dukedom, while great-grandchildren in the direct royal line receive HRH and princely or lady titles depending on gender and lineage. In the Sussex family, the grants for Archie and Lilibet align with modern practice for senior descendants, mirroring the styles used for earlier generations once formalized by their grandmother. The following concise comparison illustrates the pattern across generation and gender for comparable great-grandchildren who received substantive HRH grants:
Comparison of styles for great-grandchildren with HRH grants
| Generation & lineage | Male style | Female style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandchild in male line (older rule) | HRH Prince [Firstname] of [Place] | HRH Princess [Firstname] of [Place] | Traditional form with territorial designation |
| Great-grandchild in male line (current senior) | HRH Prince [Firstname] of [Place] | Not applicable | Applies to sons of elder sons |
| Great-grandchild in female line (current practice) | — | HRH Princess [Firstname] of [Place] | When formally elevated; otherwise Lady |
| Archie (male, senior male line) | HRH Prince Archie of Sussex | — | Granted HRH around birth |
| Lilibet (female, senior female line) | — | HRH Princess Lilibet of Sussex | Granted HRH around birth |
Common questions about usage and formality
Readers often ask whether Archie and Lilibet are required to use their HRH in everyday life, and the answer is that royal family members typically use more informal versions in non-ceremonial settings. For example, Archie may be called Master Archie or Archie, while Lilibet may be called Lilibet or Princess Lilibet in private contexts. In written and formal ceremonial settings, their full styles including HRH and territorial designation are used. The titles do not confer legal privileges beyond protocol and do not change their nationality or ordinary civil rights. They remain British citizens, subject to the same laws as other residents, while their styles reflect birthright rather than earned rank. This distinction matters when discussing protocol, security, or public representation, but not when discussing personal identity or day-to-day life.
Key distinctions and practical takeaways
- Both Archie and Lilibet hold HRH status and princely or princess styles granted at birth.
- Archie is styled His Royal Highness Prince Archie of Sussex; Lilibet is styled Her Royal Highness Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
- In everyday use, they are commonly called Master Archie and Lilibet, or informally Archie and Lilibet.
- Their official surname for civil purposes is Mountbatten-Windsor.
- They rank sixth and seventh respectively in the line of succession as of the latest published registry.
- Their styles follow long-standing rules for senior great-grandchildren of the Sovereign.
Closing note on enduring protocol
Archie and Lilibet’s titles illustrate how royal styles balance tradition with modern family arrangements. Their granted styles affirm their positions in the senior line while allowing flexible, contemporary usage. For researchers, journalists, and the public, understanding these distinctions supports accurate and consistent reference to the Sussex children within the broader framework of royal nomenclature and protocol. The practices described here are intended as a durable reference that remains relevant as family circumstances and public interest evolve.