Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Daughter Lili's Place In Line Of Succession

Jun 07, 2021 by apost team

Following the birth of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's daughter Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor on June 4, 2021, the royal family is sending in their congratulations to the happy couple. The baby girl's name is a special tribute to the queen herself and has a beautiful meaning behind it. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex first announced that they were expecting their second child on Valentine's Day in 2021 in a beautiful post of a black and white photograph, only to reveal the baby's sex during the March 7 interview special "Oprah with Meghan and Harry." As the news of Markle's miscarriage in July 2020 broke only a few weeks prior to the couple's reveal, the news about their expected second child came as a very happy event in the couple's lives. Royal fans were also delighted.

While the royal family is unlikely to immediately assign the newborn a title, Meghan and Harry's daughter will become a princess if Prince Charles becomes king, as grandchildren of the king are automatically granted prince and princess status, according to Elle. 

Leading up to their second child's birth, Meghan has been relatively private, staying out of the public eye and refusing to reveal her daughter's due date. The duchess also decided not to have a baby shower. According to US Weekly, Meghan didn't feel such a celebration would be appropriate amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Fans and experts who follow the Sussexes are undoubtedly thrilled by the birth announcement, as an addition to the royal family is quite a momentous occasion.

The couple's big announcement on Sunday, June 6, 2021, is the first bit of good news the royal family has had in a while, given the saddening events of the past few months, which have been filled with strife and mourning. Prince Philip, who would have been the child's great grandfather, passed away on April 9 at 99 years old. At the time, Meghan could not make it to Philip's April 17 funeral because doctors advised against traveling to the U.K. while pregnant.

Tensions between the Sussex couple and the rest of the royal family have been high following Harry and Meghan's departure as senior working members of the royal family. The already tense relationship between Harry and the family ignited further after Harry and Markle sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a controversial interview in March. During the television special, the couple openly criticized the royal family and its culture. Many royal followers hoped that the birth of the couple's second child would lead to a mellowing of family tensions.

PEOPLE reported that the statement from the couple released on Sunday read, "It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world." 

The statement continued, "Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home."

apost.com

Now that little Lilibet has been welcomed by the couple, royal fans and followers have started thinking about her place in the line of succession. 

While the royal family is unlikely to immediately assign the newborn a title, Meghan and Harry's daughter will become a princess if Prince Charles becomes king, as grandchildren of the king are automatically granted prince and princess status, according to Elle.

In this case, Meghan and Harry's first-born child, 2-year-old Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, would also become a prince. With Elizabeth still at the helm, Archie remains seventh in line to the throne while Harry and Meghan's baby girl is just behind her big brother, making her the eighth person in line to the throne. Her birth bumps the Duke of York, Elizabeth's second son and former eighth in line, down one place. Also inching lower within the line of succession are the Duke's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Although Lilibet is only just born, royal commentators are already placing high hopes on the young royal.

Nick Bullen, royal expert and founder of True Royalty TV, told Us Weekly that the couple's new baby could bring the royal family closer after the difficult year they have had. 

He told the magazine, "The birth of a baby is always a great unifier for a family and I'm sure all sides of the Sussex family will want to celebrate with Harry and Meghan. I think you can be absolutely certain that Harry and Meghan will be jumping on a Zoom call to introduce Her Majesty to her 11th great-grandchild."

Do you think young Lilibet will profit from her parents' decision to step down as senior royals? Tell us what you think and pass this story along to fellow royals fans!