Why Prince Louis Is a Prince: The Royal Rule Queen Elizabeth Changed
In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II updated a 1917 rule by King George V that limited who could be called “Prince” or “Princess.” Originally, only the monarch’s children, male-line grandchildren, and the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales got the title.
Under that rule, only Prince George would have been a prince. Charlotte and Louis wouldn’t have qualified.
But the Queen changed that—declaring all of Prince William’s children would get royal titles. So when Prince Louis was born in 2018, he became a prince thanks to this modern update.
Queen Elizabeth II’s 2012 Letters Patent: Modernizing Royal Titles
On December 31, 2012, Queen Elizabeth II issued a new Letters Patent, declaring that all children of Prince William—the eldest son of the Prince of Wales—would be titled Prince or Princess and styled HRH. This ensured that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis all received equal royal status from birth, reflecting modern views on gender equality.
Why Prince Harry’s Children Weren’t Included
The 2012 decree applied only to Prince William’s children. As Prince Harry was not the eldest son, his children were excluded. When Archie was born in 2019, he didn’t receive a title—consistent with the original 1917 rule. However, after King Charles III took the throne in 2022, Archie and Lilibet became eligible for Prince and Princess titles as grandchildren of the monarch—though their parents have chosen limited public use of those titles.
What If the Queen Hadn’t Stepped In?
If Queen Elizabeth II hadn’t changed the 1917 rule in 2012, Prince Louis wouldn’t be a prince. He likely would’ve been called Master Louis Cambridge or Master Louis Windsor. Princess Charlotte might’ve been Lady Charlotte Windsor, much like Lady Louise Windsor today.
Without the HRH titles, both children would have held a lower royal status and likely had fewer public duties.
Why Titles Matter
Prince Louis’ name—Louis Arthur Charles—carries deep royal meaning, honoring Lord Mountbatten and King Charles. Titles aren’t just symbolic—they influence public roles, media attention, and sometimes even security. While titles don’t guarantee protection, high-profile status can make a difference.
Meghan Markle’s 2021 Interview and Reactions
In her 2021 interview with Oprah, Meghan Markle raised concerns about her son Archie not receiving a royal title, linking it to issues of safety and race. The claims sparked public debate.
However, experts clarified that royal rules—not personal decisions—govern titles. According to The Guardian and The Times, Archie’s lack of title followed royal protocol set by King George V and updated in 2012.
King Charles III and Title Succession
Now that Charles is king, Archie and Lilibet are automatically entitled to royal titles as his grandchildren. But their usage remains a personal choice for Harry and Meghan. No new rules have been issued to change this.
A Modern Royal Legacy
Queen Elizabeth II’s 2012 update to royal protocol allowed all of William’s children to have titles, reflecting a shift toward equality. Today’s younger royals—George, Charlotte, and Louis—symbolize a monarchy adapting to modern values.
