Meghan Markle 'changed her name' on Prince Archie's birth certificate weeks later
Meghan Markle changed her mind when it came to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's birth certificatesMeghan Markle changed her name on son Prince Archie’s birth certificate weeks after he was born.
Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6, 2019.
While his birth was registered 11 days later, a surprise name amendment to the certificate was allegedly made on June 5 by Meghan Markle – one month later.
What did Meghan Markle change on Archie’s birth certificate?
Meghan Markle opted to remove her first names on Prince Archie’s birth certificate, almost two weeks after he was registered.
According to The Sun, instead of saying “Rachel Meghan”, Archie’s birth certificate read: “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex,” after the change.
At the time she registered her new name correction, Meghan and Harry were still busy with their royal duties.
The parents’ jobs were listed as Prince and Princess of the United Kingdom, although Meghan does not have a princess title.
The couple later welcomed Princess Lilibet into the world, their daughter, in 2021.
However, she backtracked on the idea for her daughter, because the Suits star used her full name on Lilibet’s birth certificate – Rachel Meghan Markle. Whereas, hubby Harry did the opposite as well, using just his titles The Duke of Sussex as his first name and His Royal Highness as his surname.
Royal protocol or honouring Princess Diana?
Meghan Markle herself has not explained why she changed her name on Prince Archie’s birth certificate, but there is speculation as to why.
The move mirrors Princess Diana, who always used “Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales”. It could be following in the late royal’s footsteps.
Another reason could be the Duchess of Sussex following royal protocol, where royal titles are preferred over first names on official documents.
For example, Harry’s name on Prince Archie’s birth certificate reads His Royal Highness Henry Charles Albert David Duke of Sussex. But the Duke still included his first names – which doesn’t actually include Harry (that’s a nickname!)
Meghan drops Markle and prefers to be called ‘Sussex’ now
The move came years before the actress made headlines for explaining she now goes by ‘Sussex’ and not the royal family surname or her former one, Markle.
She corrected friend and writer Mindy Kaling on her Netflix show With Love, Meghan, when Mindy called her Meghan Markle. She cut in and explained she is Meghan Sussex, and it’s the name she and her family share – including her children.
But it caused a stir with royal fans who pointed out that Sussex is the royal title for the pair which was gifted to the newlyweds on their wedding by the late Queen.
However, the surname of the royal family is in fact Mountbatten-Windsor. The royal family’s last name was changed six decades ago by the queen and her husband Prince Philip for their children.
What do you think of Meghan Markle changing her name on Archie’s birth certificate? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page.
