Why Meghan Markle will never be Princess Meghan after marrying Prince Harry
The couple are expected to become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In the eyes of many, the prospect of a normal woman marrying a prince and becoming a princess is the ultimate fairytale.
So of course, American actress Meghan Markle’s newly announced engagement to Prince Harry has been met with much excitement.
Many Americans are delighting over the fact that Markle is set to become a princess - except she’s not.
Markle will never become Princess Meghan - she’s most likely to be a duchess, much like Kate Middleton became the Duchess of Cambridge when she married Prince William.
Once Harry and Meghan tie the knot, she will take his title and name.
This means Markle will become Her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Wales, alongside any other title the Queen chooses to give her.
However it’s likely that Prince Harry will be given a dukedom, so Markle will become a duchess like Catherine.
“Most likely, he will be created a Duke,” Royal historian Marlene Koenig told Royal Central.
“Sussex is available so [Meghan] would be HRH the Duchess of Sussex. Her rank would be a princess by marriage of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
If Harry remains a prince, Markle will be an unofficial princess.
Only those born into the royal family can use the title Prince or Princess, followed by their first name - Prince George, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, for example.
Princess Diana was never an official princess, and Markle may be treated much the same.
But this isn’t stopping many Americans in particular clinging on to the idea of Markle becoming a princess.
If Harry and Meghan have any children, they will become lords and ladies, rather than Princes and princesses - unless the Queen steps in.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments