Forty-seven million viewers [1] tuned in to witness Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say "I do" [2] on May 19. After months of anticipation, the happy couple finally tied the knot at St. George's Chapel [3] in England in front of 600 guests, including the royal family [4] and a ton of celebrities [5].
As details continue to emerge about their fun-filled wedding reception [6], well-wishers are already hoping for a royal baby [7] in the near future. The new groom also reportedly wants to become a dad "pretty soon." [8] But did you know that if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex [9] were to have a child, he or she wouldn't have a royal title?
It all goes back to the golden rule in the British royal family [10] that states the title of "prince," "princess," and "his/her royal highness" are reserved for children or grandchildren of the monarch [11]. You may realise that Prince George and his sister, Princess Charlotte [12], are the exception. That is because Prince William is next in line to be king [13] after his father, Prince Charles, who is set to take over for his mother [14], Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2013, the queen issued a new Letters Patent, which officially went into effect two months before Charlotte was born [16] in 2015. This allowed her to have the same royal title [17] as George. If she didn't, the adorable 3-year-old [18] would have gone by Lady Charlotte Mountbatten-Windsor [19] instead.
One way for Harry and Meghan's future children to receive a "prince" or "princess" title would be for Charles to assume the throne before Meghan gives birth [20]. If that happens, the royal status would be rightfully theirs as their grandfather would be king. As of now, if the newlyweds [21] have any kids, he or she will likely have to settle for lord or lady titles. Still, it's better than being a commoner, we'd say.