The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s second child is eighth in line to the throne despite being born a US citizen after the couple moved to LA to quit royal life.
Lilibet, who was born on Friday weighing 8oz and is a sibling for Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, two, has entered the line of royal succession behind her older brother and is set to nudge senior family members further from the throne.
The first seven places in the line of succession will remain unchanged – Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Harry, and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new addition will bump her great-uncle, Prince Andrew, down to 9th place. When he was born in 1960 he was second-in-line to the throne behind his older brother, Prince Charles.
How the order of succession now looks: Lilibet will take the 8th spot on the line, overtaking Prince Andrew, Prince Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (order of succession pictured)
Meanwhile his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie move down to 10th and 11th place, respectively.
Although Princess Eugenie will soon move one more place down the line when her niece or nephew arrives later this year.
Eugenie’s son August, who was born in February, is in 12th place following the birth of Baby Sussex but will move down to 13th when his cousin arrives.
Lilibet will not be entitled to be an HRH nor be a prince or a princess like Kate and Williams’ children, Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six, and Prince Louis, three.
This is due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by George V, who limited titles within the family during the First World War.
She is allowed to be a Lady, but, in keeping with Harry and Meghan’s wishes, will be a plain Miss (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor instead.
As the first-born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton – one of Harry’s subsidiary titles – or been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Duke and Duchess broke with royal convention by making a personal decision not to use a title, thought to be inspired by Harry’s wish to have been a normal child, rather than a prince, as he grew up.
Harry and Meghan’s baby is the fifth grandchild for Prince Charles, and the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh’s eleventh-great-grandchild.
The monarch’s great-grandchildren so far are: Savannah and Isla Phillips; George, Charlotte and Louis; Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall; Archie, and Princess Eugenie’s baby boy, August Brooksbank.
Lilibet was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40am at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara weighing 7lb 11oz, and is said to be settling in at home.
With the Sussexes living in California, it is not known when or if Lilibet will meet the monarch and the other royals.
However, the duke and duchess may have given their daughter her names in an effort to build bridges with the Royal Family after the couple made a series of bombshell allegations against the Firm.
In a message of thanks from Meghan and Harry on their Archewell website, the duke and duchess said: ‘On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. 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. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.’
Harry and Meghan, who are currently living in California, shared their pregnancy announcement on Valentine’s Day by posting a black and white image of Harry resting his hand on Meghan’s head as she lay in his lap underneath a tree.
Lilibet has entered the line of succession behind her older brother Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, two (pictured with Harry and Meghan in 2019)