When Prince Archie of Sussex eventually ties the knot, the title that his wife will assume is an intriguing topic of discussion. The matter of whether she would be referred to as "Princess Archie of Sussex" warrants a closer examination of royal conventions and historical precedents.
To understand the potential title that Prince Archie's future wife might adopt, it is essential to delve into the intricacies of the British royal family's naming conventions. Traditionally, the royal titles are determined by birthright and marriage, which often leads to varying designations for members of the family. In the case of Prince Archie, who is the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, his current title is "Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor." However, it is worth noting that the titles bestowed upon members of the royal family are at the discretion of the reigning monarch.
In the event Prince Archie marries, it is plausible that his wife would not automatically be styled as "Princess Archie of Sussex." The reason behind this lies in the historical distinctions between the titles of princes and princesses in the British monarchy. Traditionally, the wife of a prince does not acquire the title of "princess" upon marriage, but rather adopts the feminine form of her husband's title. For instance, Prince William's wife, Catherine, is known as the Duchess of Cambridge, not Princess William.
An exception to this convention can be observed in the case of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Diana, upon marrying Charles, was widely referred to as "Princess Diana." However, this was more of a colloquial usage, as her formal title was "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales." Similarly, when Charles marries his current wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, she will likely adopt the title of "Princess Consort," rather than "Queen Consort," when he ascends to the throne.
Returning to the hypothetical scenario of Prince Archie's future marriage, his wife might receive a title based on the precedent set by the royal family. If the British monarchy follows its established patterns, she could be styled as "Her Royal Highness Princess [Wife's First Name] of Sussex." This would adhere to the tradition of granting the feminine form of the husband's title to the wife.
It is important to remember that royal titles can be subject to the will of the reigning monarch. The decision to bestow a particular title or style upon a member of the royal family is ultimately determined by the reigning sovereign. In this case, when Prince Archie is married, the reigning monarch at that time would have the authority to make the final decision regarding his wife's title.
If Prince Archie of Sussex were to marry one day, it is unlikely that his wife would be officially known as "Princess Archie of Sussex." Rather, she would probably adopt a title following the traditional pattern observed within the British royal family, such as "Her Royal Highness Princess [Wife's First Name] of Sussex." However, the final decision on her title would rest with the reigning monarch, as they have the power to bestow titles and styles upon members of the royal family.
