Meghan’s impressive job title on Archie’s birth certificate and baffling change

25 January 2024 , 13:28

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Harry registered Archie's birth but the couple later changed a key detail (Image: PA)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ripped up the royal rule book when it came to welcoming their son Prince Archie, attracting praise from around the world for doing things their own way.

While some people were disappointed that they couldn't gather outside the hospital or see the traditional photos, the couple still included well-wishers by arranging a photo call at Windsor Castle and new dad Harry gave a spontaneous interview. But there was one aspect they legally had to share with the world - Archie's birth certificate.

The document, like all birth certificates, was a matter of public record, regardless of your royal status. It revealed for the first time where Archie was born, the Portland Hospital, and also showed an interesting detail about Meghan - her official job title.

READ MORE: Prince Harry 'won't speak to Kate Middleton without wife Meghan Markle's permission'

Prince Archie's birth certificate was a matter of public record (PA)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their son in 2019 (Getty Images)

The document lists her role as "Princess of the United Kingdom". It left many fans scratching their heads, wondering why it said Princess when Meghan's official title is Duchess.

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While she was given the title the Duchess of Sussex by the late Queen on her wedding day, she is also technically a Princess, just not in her own name. Meghan is Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Wales through her husband, Harry.

However there was further confusion around Archie's birth certificate in January 2021 when it emerged that Meghan and Harry changed it months after officially registering his birth. The couple removed Rachel Meghan from the 'mother's name' section, leaving simply the Duchess of Sussex.

Rachel Meghan was removed from the birth certificate (Getty Images)

The couple claimed the change was made because of the Palace

Days after the changes were made, Harry and Meghan walked away from the Fab Four’s joint charity and had quit the Royal family within months. Some experts claimed it could be seen as a "snub" to Prince William and Princess Kate, who have her name on George, Charlotte and Louis' uniform, however this was quickly rubbished by the couple.

A statement released to the media said: "The change of name on public documents in 2019 was dictated by The Palace, as confirmed by documents from senior Palace officials. This was not requested by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex nor by The Duke of Sussex.

“To see this UK tabloid and their carnival of so-called ‘experts’ choose to deceptively whip this into a calculated family ‘snub’ and suggest that she would oddly want to be nameless on her child’s birth certificate, or any other legal document, would be laughable were it not offensive. There’s a lot going on in the world; let’s focus on that rather than creating clickbait."

Zoe Forsey