Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new baby girl, like big brother Archie, is expected to have dual citizenship.
Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan Markle, 39, have expressed their delight at the birth of their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Their second child was born on Friday, June 4 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, but the proud parents did not announce her birth until Sunday.
According to reports, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s newborn baby Lili will have both American and British citizenship. Archie, 2, was born in England but now resides in America with his parents, and he has dual citizenship.
Because Prince Harry is still a British citizen and British citizenship may be transmitted down one generation under British law, his child would immediately qualify for British citizenship.
Meghan maintains her American citizenship, implying that her child will be granted American citizenship automatically.
Following the couple’s retirement as senior royals, they announced the news in their own statement, released on the Archewell Foundation website rather than through the Royal family’s official channels, in contrast to her brother Archie’s announcement in 2018.
In a moving homage to the two ladies, Little Lil was named after her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname is “Lilibet” and after her late grandmother Princess Diana.
The Sussexes announced their baby news on Sunday, two days after their daughter was born.
“She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe,” the couple said in a statement. “Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
When the pair married in 2018, it was stated that Meghan aspired to become a British citizen, but this process can take years.
It’s thought that the Sussexes elected to resign as senior royals and relocate to Montecito before the procedure was completed; it’s unknown if they’ll stick with it now that they’ve settled in Montecito.
The Sussexes have not visited Britain as a family since November 2019, and it is unclear when Lili will be able to see her royal family.
There is speculation that the Sussexes may return to Britain to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next June.
Lili does not have a royal title. Both Lili and Archie are unlikely to obtain titles until Prince Charles ascends to the throne. Even yet, the monarch may wish to retain a tight grip over the titles.
“It does seem that Prince Charles wants to slim down the Monarchy because he may want to focus on him, [wife] Duchess Camilla and [Duchess] Kate and [Prince] William and their children in time,” royal analyst Craig Prescott told Us in March.
