When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry say ‘I do,’ later today – she will officially become a member of the British Royal Family.
And they both have now been bestowed with a fancy-pants title by Harry’s granny, The Queen.
Step forward the Duke and Duchess of Sussex!
The title was widely cited as being likely: in conversation with Mail Online recently, Charles Kidd said: “They’re quite limited in the titles that are available. The Duke of Sussex is the front-runner without any doubt.”
Tradition dictates that royal men receive a title on the morning of their wedding; back in 2011 Prince William became the Duke of Cambridge and Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge when they said ‘I do,’ at Westminster Abbey.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Saturday: “The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince Henry of Wales.
“His titles will be Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel. Prince Harry thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, and Ms Meghan Markle on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.”
Sussex dates back to 1801. It hasn’t been used since 1841 when Prince Augustus Frederick, the sixth son of King George III and a favourite uncle of Queen Victoria, died.
And although very much now a royal, it would be incorrect to refer to the new duchess as ‘Princess Meghan’ or, indeed, simply as ‘Duchess Meghan’.
Meghan has technically become a princess – but not in her own right. Her full title is: Her Royal Highness Princess Henry, Duchess of Sussex and Countess of Inverness.
Fancy!
Meanwhile, last Sunday it was revealed that The Queen has furthermore signed the Instrument of Consent – a hand-written document which records the fact that she is allowing her grandson and Meghan to marry (nice of her, like).
A post on the Kensington Palace Insta account shows the document, which looks all sorts of fancy.
