Recent discussions about royal surnames have intrigued enthusiasts, especially following revelations about Prince Louis’ birth certificate and Meghan Markle’s adoption of a new surname.
Prince Louis’ Birth Certificate
Prince Louis, born on April 23, 2018, to Prince William and Kate Middleton, holds the title of Prince Louis of Cambridge. His birth certificate lists his name as “His Royal Highness Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge.” This designation aligns with the tradition of royal children bearing their father’s territorial title as their surname. It’s noteworthy that Prince William became the Prince of Wales in 2022, following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, a change that could influence the surname used by his children. However, Prince Louis’ birth certificate retains the “of Cambridge” designation, reflecting his status at birth.
Meghan Markle’s Adoption of ‘Sussex’
In a recent episode of her Netflix show “With Love, Meghan,” Meghan Markle shared that she now uses the surname “Sussex,” aligning with her title as the Duchess of Sussex. She expressed the significance of sharing this surname with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, stating, “You have kids and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children.’ I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to say, ‘This is our family name. Our little family name.'”
This choice has sparked discussions among royal followers, with some expressing confusion over the use of ‘Sussex’ as a surname. Traditionally, royal family members do not commonly use surnames; instead, they are identified by their titles. However, “Mountbatten-Windsor” is sometimes used by descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip without HRH titles. Harry and Meghan’s decision to publicly use the surname ‘Sussex’ aligns with their titles and underscores a broader adherence to royal naming conventions.
Understanding Royal Surnames
Royal surnames can be complex due to the absence of consistent surname usage among royals. Members of the British royal family often use their territorial titles as identifiers. For instance, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children are known as George, Charlotte, and Louis Wales at school, reflecting their father’s title, Prince of Wales. Similarly, Harry and Meghan’s children were initially known as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Following the change in their titles to Prince and Princess of Sussex, they are now referred to as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
In summary, the nuances of royal surnames and titles are influenced by tradition, lineage, and evolving titles within the royal family. Prince Louis’ birth certificate and Meghan Markle’s adoption of the ‘Sussex’ surname highlight the complexities and personal choices within these conventions.
