The correct title for Meghan Markle, the wife of Prince Harry, would be "Princess Meghan, heiress apparent." The term "heiress presumptive" and "heiress apparent" are used to describe individuals who are in line to inherit a title, such as a princess, but there is a subtle distinction between the two.
"Heiress presumptive" refers to an individual who is expected to inherit a title unless someone with a superior claim is born or recognized. In other words, the heir presumptive holds the position of potential inheritance but may lose that status if another eligible candidate emerges. This usually occurs when the current titleholder has not yet produced a child or if the current titleholder's child is unable to inherit the title.
On the other hand, "heiress apparent" refers to an individual who is in line to inherit a title with certainty, without any conditions or contingencies. This means that there is no one else with a superior claim or potential to take the title away from the heiress apparent. In the case of Princess Meghan, as the wife of Prince Harry, who is the son of Prince Charles and the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, she is considered the heiress apparent to the title of princess.
It's worth noting that while Meghan Markle received the title of Duchess of Sussex upon her marriage to Prince Harry, she is not referred to as "Princess Meghan" in official capacity. This is because the title of princess is generally reserved for those who are born into the royal family, rather than those who marry into it. However, she is commonly referred to as Princess Meghan by the media and the public due to her high-profile status and her association with the royal family.
The title "Princess Meghan, heiress apparent" would be the appropriate term to describe Meghan Markle's position within the royal hierarchy. It signifies her status as the next in line to inherit the title of princess, without any conditions or potential challengers to her claim.
