The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have reportedly not taken steps to trademark the names of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, contrary to earlier speculation, according to confirmation from PEOPLE magazine. This clarification comes in light of an upcoming Mother’s Day collection from Meghan’s lifestyle brand, which pays homage to their offspring.
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Archie, aged six, and Lilibet, aged four, were granted the royal titles of prince and princess following King Charles III’s ascension to the throne in 2022. However, it appears that their titles were not included in the product descriptions related to the launch of Meghan’s Mother’s Day collection on April 22. The collection features candles inspired by the children’s birth dates, but the royal titles were noticeably absent from the promotional materials, indicating a potential decision not to use those titles in business contexts.
The candles in question are named Signature Candle No. 506 and Signature Candle No. 604 and are inspired by Archie and Lilibet’s respective birth dates of May 6 and June 4. The absence of royal titles in the product descriptions marks a departure from earlier communications, where the candles were linked explicitly to their titles, referring to them as “Prince Archie of Sussex” and “Princess Lilibet of Sussex.” Each candle is priced at $64, with larger gift sets also available, embracing the theme of Mother’s Day.
Unlike the children of Prince William—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—Archie and Lilibet were not given their royal titles at birth. The late Queen Elizabeth II was still reigning when they were born, and as such, they arrived as great-grandchildren of the sovereign without immediate titles. Conversely, the births of William’s children were announced during a time when their father was the heir apparent, and they received titles at birth.
In a prior announcement in March 2023 regarding Princess Lilibet’s christening, it was confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had indeed accepted the royal titles bestowed upon their children. A spokesperson stated, “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch.” This indicated that their entitlement to the titles was established and aligned with Buckingham Palace’s understanding.
Although King Charles became monarch after Harry and Meghan had stepped back from their royal duties in 2020, Archie and Lilibet retained their right to the titles, reaffirming that royal lineage granted them certain privileges by birthright. The transition of royals and how titles are assigned has often been a complicated matter within the British monarchy, and the Sussex children’s situation reflects the nuances involved.
Meghan has previously expressed the significance of the Sussex name to her family. In a conversation with PEOPLE in 2025, she reflected on how meaningful the title has become, especially since they became parents. “It’s our shared name as a family,” she stated, noting the emotional connection she has to their surname, which she described as part of their love story.
Furthermore, the couple continues to hold their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex, despite their departure from royal duties. The royal titles bestowed upon them upon their marriage in May 2018 remain unchanged, much to the interest of royal observers.
As they navigate life having taken on roles as public figures outside the royal family, the Sussexes continue to balance their identities as both parents and former royals. Their choices surrounding branding and titles reflect ongoing discussions regarding their public persona and the management of their family’s legacy in conjunction with their heritage.
As the Sussexes undertake new ventures, they are likely to attract a mix of admiration and scrutiny, highlighting the ever-watchful nature of public interest in royal matters. The absence of trademarking their children’s names may speak volumes about their desire to differentiate between their commercial endeavours and royal identities. With each step they take, the couple faces a complex web of family tradition, modern public expectations, and personal ambition.