Does Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Daughter, Lilibet, Still Have a Place in Line to the Throne Following the Sussexes’ Demotion?
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have welcomed their second child together. News broke on June 6, that the couple’s daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, arrived two days earlier. The pair confirmed this on their Archewell website in a statement that read: “On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
Following the news, many royal fans had questions about the Sussexes’ new arrival including if she still has a place in the line of succession to the British throne after the duke and duchess were officially demoted on the royal family’s website hours earlier.
Royals send congrats to Meghan and Harry on birth of Lilibet
It’s been reported that things have been contentious between the Sussexes and royal family following their interview with Oprah Winfrey and Harry’s comments about his father’s parenting and his upbringing. But the royals put any differences aside to announce Lilibet’s birth via social media.
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge tweeted: We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili. Congratulations to Harry, Meghan, and Archie.”
On the Clarence House Twitter account, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall said: “Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie on the arrival of baby Lilibet Diana. Wishing them all well at this special time.”
Queen Elizabeth II’s account also posted about the birth of her 11th great-grandchild.
The duke and duchess were demoted from royal website just before birth was announced
On June 5, a number of royal watchers noticed that Prince Harry and Meghan had been demoted on the royal family’s website.
The duke and duchess have been moved down the site’s list of “royal family members.” The prince and his wife reportedly used to be featured just below Prince William and Kate. Now, however, they are following Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, putting the Sussexes in the 10th and 11th slots.
Their bios have also been updated to reflect that they have stepped back as senior members of the family. Some have questioned what this change means for Harry’s kids given his proximity to the throne.
Does Lili still have a place in the line of succession to the British throne now?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sliding down the royal family’s website doesn’t affect their children’s places in the line of succession to the throne.
Just like her big brother Archie, Lilibet falls in line behind their father. Prince Harry is sixth in the succession order, just after his older brother Prince William and the Duke of Cambridge’s three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Archie is seventh and Lilibet now has the eighth spot. The newborn pushes Prince Andrew, who also still has a place in line as well despite not being a working royal anymore, to ninth. The Duke of York’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, dropped down the line to 10th and 11th.
Lili is Queen Elizabeth’s first great-grandchild born since Prince Philip‘s death in April. However, she isn’t the first royal baby born in America. Lord Frederick Windsor, the son of the queen’s first cousin, welcomed their eldest daughter, Maud, at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Maud is 52nd in the line of succession.
