The British monarch, King Charles has apparently formally recognized the titles of the  two children of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. For the first time the two children of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan have been officially addressed as ‘Prince Archie of Sussex’ and ‘Princess Lilibet of Sussex.’  The recognition obviously ends widely held apprehensions by large sections of the British society that the two children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might not enjoy royal recognition. This thinking has been fuelled by the increasingly frosty relationship which exists between the Sussexes and the Royal Family.

The change in the children’s status was discovered in the official website of Buckingham Palace. Until now, Archie and Lilibet had simply been referred to as ‘Master’ and ‘Miss’ Mountbatten-Windsor. This was even as the same website maintained their royal standing as 6th and 7th in the line of succession to the throne.

The above scenario was the exact opposite of the recognition accorded the now heir-apparent to the throne– Prince Williams, his wife and three children–whose titles were changed and recognized immediately the erstwhile Prince of Wales was pronounced king.

The change in designation of Prince Harry’s children came only a day after Harry’s 21-year-old daughter, Lilibet was christened in far away California. Significantly, according to sources at the event, none of the key members of the Royal Family attended.

Also significant was the assertion made in a statement by Harry and Meghan that their children had it as their birthright to be addressed as ‘prince’ and ‘princess’ hence the choice to ascribe the titles to them. The couple also claimed that King Charles had  ‘settled’ the issue as soon as soon as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was concluded.