Prince Archie's little-known official royal title snubbed by Meghan Markle

Prince Harry: Royal expert discusses titles for Archie and Lillibet

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry do not use the title Earl of Dumbarton for their son Prince Archie, which he was reportedly entitled to when he was born as he is the son of a Duke.

Archie is celebrating his fifth birthday today, May 6, and while he and little sister Princess Lilibet initially did not have royal titles when they were born they inherited them after their grandfather King Charles became monarch.

In March 2023 a Sussex spokesperson said in a statement: "I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor."

This confirmed they had decided to let Archie and Lilibet use the titles Prince and Princess, with the Royal Family website later updated to reflect these changes.

Royal historian Carolyn Harris previously told Town & Country magazine: "Archie will be able to use the title of HRH Prince when Charles becomes King, but it is possible that he will not use this title.

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Prince Archie could use the title Earl of Dumbarton (Image: Getty)

"Archie will not be able to pass the title of Prince or Princess to his children as they will be another generation removed from the sovereign, but the title of Duke of Sussex will pass to Prince Harry's male line descendants."

It is not known exactly how the Sussexes will celebrate Archie's big day today (May 6), but it is likely that they will have arranged a party for him with family and close friends.

Royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror about any possible plans: "When it comes to her children's birthdays, Meghan is almost obsessed with the idea that they should be quiet, very private affairs, with simple games, a birthday cake and ice cream."

Prince Archie will likely have a small birthday party (Image: Getty)

He added: "Archie is a real live-wire who loves rushing around at top speed so there will also be blind man's bluff and tag among other games.

"Meghan combines a deep sense of her own global importance in the wider world with a desire to make her children experience what she sees as the more ordinary things in life."

Her mother Doria Ragland is likely to travel to Montecito to see the family, as she lives not too far away in Los Angeles, about a 90-minute drive away.

Prince Archie as a baby in 2019 (Image: Getty)

Mr Quinn also had his own insight into the rumoured guest list, saying: "So, for Archie's birthday, there will be friends from school, Meghan's mother Doria Ragland and one or two celebrities - any celebrity neighbour with a child the same age, and that includes actors Katie Perry and Orlando Bloom and their daughter Daisy will definitely be invited."

Last spring Meghan planned a "low-key" birthday party for Archie at home which he enjoyed with his family and his sister Lilibet, who will turn three in June.

Doria Ragland and Meghan's friend Victoria Jackson were both there, with the Duchess baking a lemon cake for her little boy using lemons from their garden, a source claimed.