As far as all the discussion about the correct way to address British royals with titles, it's always going to be confusing (perhaps not to those ooh so in the know about such officially hoity-toity matters).
I never understood why back-in-the-day royalty had to be given five or six first names, when they are mainly known and called only by their very first name preceded by Prince or whatever.
Kudos to the younger British royals for cutting down the given name nonsense to only three names, rather than the four Prince Charles holds. And even three is too many. But at least it allows them to get in all those very important royal names that simply must be passed on.
Funnily enough, Prince George and his younger brother share the name, 'Louis' as one of their names. Oops. Oh well, I do hope both weren't named in honor of the not-so-dearly departed Lord Louis Mountbatten, but they might be.
Thanks for the 'proper British royal titles usage' discussion in any case. It's all endlessly fascinating. I do love the ring of all the titles Meghan and Harry now hold. But what's the use of having all those titles if they are actually rarely going to be used.
So pretentious. Oh but right, royal status requires them to carry on all the ancient pomp and circumstance, and to show how privileged and important the British monarchy is. The media is never going to adhere to royal protocol. And frankly, it doesn't matter if 'Duchess Meghan' and 'Duchess Kate' references grate to anyone on an Internet forum.
Anyway, if being proper is so at stake, Kate shouldn't be referred to as Kate at all (much less Middleton). Her full given name is supposed to be referenced. Although, I wonder what her mother calls her.
Anyway, despite my respect for them and their enviable stature, I'm not going to type out the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge every time I wish to reference these fab ladies on FSU.
All this title shizz reminds me of something I read around the time of the recent royal wedding. The morning of the wedding when some of Meghan's friends were assisting her with preparations, someone asked, "Oh, what must we call you now, 'Duchess?'" Reportedly, the newly named Duchess of Sussex smiled and said, "I'm still Meghan." Oh well, it's early days yet, and she'll get used to people bowing and curtseying and tripping their tongues over what to call her. Although, I'm sure many in the crowds of people who greet her will still call her 'Meghan,' or 'Duchess Meghan.'
After the announcement of their new titles on the day of their wedding, the Duke and Duchess of 'Sexy Success'
Wiki immediately change their names to the 'Duke of Sussex' and the 'Duchess of Sussex.' Many regular people searching under the couple's former names complained, and so Wiki quickly revised the look-up status to 'Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex' and 'Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.'
The more interesting suspense down the road will be whether or not Prince Harry and his dear wife are gonna want to saddle any of their anticipated offspring with the 'Prince' or 'Princess' designation. Obviously, royal kids can be privy to a lot of ribbing from their peers growing up, walking around as a Prince or a Princess. While I wouldn't have any qualms about Princess Charlotte keeping anyone in their place
, we do know that Prince George's parents decided he will be referred to as simply 'George Cambridge' at his current school. That's probably the best thing to do for children who are at a very young age. That's a critical time when they are trying to make friends and fit in, and make sense of the world they are living in.
Prince Harry struggled, particularly in his later adolescence and early 20s with his royal status, according to his own admission, as well as it being mentioned in biographies and documentaries. Obviously, Harry has grown out of that angst and fully embraced his heritage. Still, will he and Meghan decide to have their children take the usual titles given to the offspring of an Earl, e.g., the titles that Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex's children hold (
Lady Louise & James,
Viscount Severn)? Or, maybe it's possible the Queen will allow Prince Harry's prospective children to be given 'Prince' and 'Princess' titles upon birth, unless the Duke & Duchess of Sussex decline. Once Prince Charles inherits the throne, Harry's children would automatically have the right to be titled 'Prince/Princess.' However, perhaps a permanent decision will be made in advance of the birth of their first child. I'm thinking that Harry and Meghan may wish to wait until sometime next year before starting a family.
That was never going to happen, especially with Meghan & Harry having just returned from their Ireland trip, and the courtesy visit taking place at Windsor Castle.
