As of this morning, the official line of succession to the throne is "His Royal Highness Archie Mountbatten-Windsor" in sixth place and "Her Royal Highness Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor" in seventh place (Archie and Lilibet are of course the son and daughter of Prince Harry and Miss Meghan Markle). (Archie and Lilibet are, of course, the son and daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.) When Archie was born in May 2019 and Lili in June 2021, they were the great-grandchildren of the monarch, and thus not entitled to the titles of prince and princess. But now that their grandfather, Charles III, is on the throne, that situation has changed.

So what is going on? According to The Sun, Charles has not decided on the titles Archie and Lili, intensifying friction between the son and daughter-in-law.

Many had expected that Archie and Lili's titles would automatically change after Charles ascended to the throne. According to Roya Nikka, royal editor of The Times (opens in new tab), the delay has "heightened tensions" between Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex "appear to fear that the King will strip Archie and Lilibet of their titles after the Queen's death because the King refused to immediately recognize Archie and Lilibet's elevated status," Nicka said.

Fellow royal expert Katie Nicole told True Royalty TV that Archie and Lili will likely receive their titles if Harry and Meghan can regain trust with Prince Charles. since stepping down from active royalty in January 2020, the couple has been featured on Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell interview, and have signed lucrative deals with Netflix, Spotify, and Penguin Random House.

"I'm told that's a very clear signal from the King. He is willing to grant such a title, but with a caveat, and that caveat is trust."

Harry's book, in particular, may be the linchpin of this decision.

Harry and Meghan are "said to be furious that their children will not be given the title of HRH, even though they were supposed to be called Prince and Princess," the Sun reported.

A spokesman for Prince Charles said earlier this month that the official order of succession would be updated "as information becomes available."