Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s first child may have one of these royal titles

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting their very first royal baby, who will inherit a very royal title.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry deserve our congratulations for their baby bliss! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex just announced that Markle is pregnant with her first child. So what title will the royal couple’s baby inherit? The answer is surprisingly complicated, according to the royal expert who spoke with People.

Pregnant Meghan Markle looks forward to spring-time baby

As Meghan and Hary begin counting down the days until their first child arrives next spring, the speculation has already begun regarding the baby’s royal title. William Bortrick, chairman of Burke’s Peerage, explained that the answer depends on a number of factors.

As the Duke of Sussex, Harry’s not-yet-born oldest son will at some point inherit his royal daddy’s title. But before acquiring that title, the little boy may bear the title Earl of Dumbarton, according to Bortrick.

Future sons would receive the title of Lord [Fill in the name] Windsor. And if it’s a girl? Meet the future Lady [Fill in the name] Windsor.

Queen Elizabeth has special powers in determining Meghan Markle’s baby’s title

It’s good to be Queen. Queen Elizabeth’s royal authority means that she has the power to take a different approach to the title for her newest great-grandchild.

The titles given to Prince William’s and Kate Middleton’s trio of royal children offer clues to the title of Meghan and Harry’s child. Kate and Will’s offspring range from 5-year-old Prince George to 3-year-old Princess Charlotte to 6-month-old Prince Louis.

If Queen Elizabeth wants parallel titles for those born to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a son will be referred to as His Royal Highness Prince [Fill in the name] of Sussex. A daughter will be referred to as Her Royal Highness Princess [Fill in the name] of Sussex.

What happens if feminists Meghan Markle and Prince Harry don’t have sons?

Markle has described herself and her royal husband as feminists. The royal family’s website even quotes the Duchess as feeling “proud to be a woman and a feminist.”

So although only a male heir can inherit a dukedom (which means that the title will not be passed on if the two have only girls), it’s possible that the royal couple will seek changes.

There’s a precedent for changing the impact a baby’s gender has on its title. For example, The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 changed the laws so that birth order rather than gender controls who shall be the next queen or king of the United Kingdom.

Now that the title questions have been worked out, onto our next speculation… What will Meghan and Harry name their royal baby? Have ideas yourself? Share in the comments.