Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had their first child, Prince Archie, in May 2019. Less than a year later, they stepped down from their roles as senior members of the royal family.
In an unusual move, they removed Meghan’s first names from Archie’s birth certificate, replacing “Rachel Meghan” with “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex.” This change was made on June 5, 2019, a month after Archie was born.
This move sparked rumors of a rift between Harry and his brother William. Some believe it was a snub to William and Kate, whose children’s birth certificates include Kate’s names. It might also suggest Harry sees Meghan as equal to his mother, Princess Diana, who used the title “Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales.”
Shortly after this change, Harry and Meghan left their joint charity with William and Kate and quit the royal family entirely, a move called “Megxit.” They later moved to North America and had their second child, Lilibet.
Lady Colin Campbell, who discovered the amendment, found it surprising and raised questions about the Sussexes’ intentions. Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter suggested it could be part of a bigger plan. Royal expert Ingrid Seward noted that changing a birth certificate in this way is unprecedented and indicates the Sussexes’ desire to differentiate themselves from the Cambridges.
Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family remains strained, especially after Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” detailed his perspective on his relationships with his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William. Following the late Queen’s death, Harry and Meghan’s children are now known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
