Lilibet's official title is expected to be used in formal settings. PA
Lilibet's official title is expected to be used in formal settings. PA
Lilibet's official title is expected to be used in formal settings. PA
Lilibet's official title is expected to be used in formal settings. PA

Prince Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet referred to as 'princess' for first time


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

Prince Harry and Meghan's daughter was christened on Friday by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, a representative for the couple revealed.

The ceremony was held using her title Princess Lilibet Diana, marking the first time she has been publicly referred to as a princess.

The representative said: “I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor.”

Lilibet became a princess when her grandfather ascended the throne and became King Charles III.

It is understood Lilibet's title of princess and the prince title of their son Archie will be used in formal settings, but not in everyday use by the couple.

Reverend Taylor is the Bishop of Los Angeles in the Episcopal Church, which is part of the Anglican Communion.

Prince Harry and Meghan are understood to be keen to not deny their children their birthright, but to allow them the chance to decide for themselves when older whether to drop or keep using the titles.

The christening took place privately at the Sussexes' home in California. It is the first time Lilibet, who turns two in June, has been publicly referred to as an official princess.

No British royals are known to have attended but People magazine, which first reported the christening, said there were up to 30 guests.

Buckingham Palace said the royal website “will now be updated in due course” to reflect the titles.

The use of the titles has been revealed a week after the couple were asked to vacate their UK home Frogmore Cottage, a move sanctioned by the king, which further weakens the couple's ties with Prince Harry's home country and the Windsors.

Title rules set out by King George V in 1917 mean Archie and Lilibet, as the children of a son of a sovereign, automatically became a prince and a princess when Charles became king.

They are also entitled to an HRH style, and although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex retain their HRH styles, they no longer use them.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex said in the couple's interview with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey that Archie was not given the title of prince because of his race.

However, when Archie was born seventh in line to the throne in May 2019, he was too far down the line of succession. He was a great-grandchild of the monarch, and he was not a first-born son of a future king, so was not automatically a prince.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

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About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

Most wanted allegations
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  • Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
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  • Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack. 
Profile of Tarabut Gateway

Founder: Abdulla Almoayed

Based: UAE

Founded: 2017

Number of employees: 35

Sector: FinTech

Raised: $13 million

Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.

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Updated: March 09, 2023, 6:37 AM`