Prince Archie of Sussex, the youngest grandson of the newly crowned king, had a rather lackluster birthday celebration as his special day went unnoticed by his royal relatives.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, the four-year-old blew out his candles on a lemon cake baked by his mother, Meghan Markle.
However, it seems that the choice of flavor may not have been the most popular among young children.
In addition to this disappointment, it has been revealed that Prince Archie and his newborn sister, Princess Lilibet, will no longer be allowed to use the HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) title.
This decision has reportedly left Prince Harry and Meghan Markle furious.
Despite their parents’ wishes, the children will be officially known as Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana going forward.
Royal analyst Neil Sean explained that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are upset because King Charles has refused to grant HRH titles to their children.
While they can still be referred to as Prince and Princess, the exclusion of the HRH title is a significant blow to royal protocol.
This decision comes after Harry and Meghan relinquished their own HRH titles following their resignation as working members of the royal family in 2020.
Sources close to the couple have revealed their anger over the extension of this ban to their children.
They argue that being a prince and princess should come with certain levels of royal security, which is a concern for Harry and Meghan.
Despite their relentless efforts to retain the HRH title, the agreement stipulates that only working royals can assume this designation.
The HRH title holds great significance within the royal family, as it is typically reserved for senior members who perform official duties for the Queen.
Unless alternative arrangements are made, the children and grandchildren of the sovereign are entitled to use the HRH style.
This has been the case for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, cousins of Prince William and Prince Harry.
So, what exactly does HRH stand for and how does it affect those who hold this title?
HRH stands for His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness.
In 1917, King George V declared that both sons and daughters of the ruling monarch, as well as grandchildren from the sovereign’s male line, were eligible for this title.
Queen Elizabeth II made a change to this rule in 2012, stating that all children of Prince William, the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, would be entitled to HRH titles.
However, this change did not explicitly include Prince Harry and left him in a gray area.
Having an HRH title comes with certain privileges, including a salary as a working royal and official protection and security.
Additionally, it demands respect from others, as people are expected to bow or curtsy when in the presence of someone holding an HRH title.
The decision to strip Archie and Lilibet of their HRH titles has undoubtedly caused frustration and disappointment for Harry and Meghan.
While they may still enjoy the status of being prince and princess, the denial of the HRH title represents a significant loss in terms of their royal identity and the benefits that come with it.
As the royal family continues to navigate these changes, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the lives of the young Sussex siblings.