Prince Charles could get full custody of Harry and Meghan's baby Archie when he becomes king, says expert
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell announcement has resulted in many questions regarding the future of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
According to a report by international legal advisory CS Global Partners, a 300-year-old royal prerogative means that the ruling monarch is believed to have automatic custody of all the minor grandchildren.
However, it is not an Act of Parliament and since Queen Elizabeth is baby Archie's great-grandmother, this royal right is not valid.
However, Prince Charles, who is baby Archie's grandfather could have custody over Archie once he becomes monarch. This is based on the principle regarding the ruling sovereign's right to veto the line of succession of the first six heirs to the throne.
Since baby Archie falls under the first six heirs once Prince Charles becomes monarch, Charles could very well have custody over Archie.
For the time being, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have full custody of Archie for as long as Queen Elizabeth rules unless the royal prerogative is adapted into an Act of Parliament.
We had previously reported that Harry and Meghan took to Instagram to announce their decision to "step back" as senior members of the royal family.
The post shared that the couple plan to "work to become financially independent by starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution."
This leads to the question of whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are renouncing their titles given that they are stepping back from senior royal duties.
There is a difference between the two — renouncing the royal title would mean that they are losing out on the royal allowance and that they would no longer work under the "royal title".
This would also mean that they would have to become financially independent. Considering Harry and Meghan's intention to continue to carry out royal duties in the name of the Queen could mean that either they have found a loophole or they will be stripped of their "working royals" status.
If the second happens, then they will follow in Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's footsteps of having independent jobs but retaining their titles as princesses.