Prince George and Archie share royal destiny but Lilibet to miss out

Newswire

The law of male primogeniture, which still exists in Britain, means that hereditary peerages only pass down the male line of the family, leaving Lilibet unable to inherit her father’s dukedom. Constitutional expert Iain MacMarthanne said: “Archie will on the death of his father become Duke of Sussex.

“Presently he is at liberty by convention to be called Earl of Dumbarton being his father’s senior subsidiary titles”

He added: “At that moment, by law, Archie will become, whether he chooses to be or not, HRH Prince Archie of Sussex for life.

“At his death, the HRH dies too, he can pass on to any male heir the title Duke of Sussex, but not HRH or Prince. This comes from George V’s letters patent of 1917 regulating the HRH.”

Meanwhile, as heir to the throne, Prince George will automatically become the Duke of Cornwall when William becomes king.

His sister Princess Charlotte, however, is unlikely to inherit a Duchess title unless she is granted one by the presiding monarch upon her marriage.

Unless British law is changed to allow women to inherit hereditary titles then they will bypass both Lilibet and Princess Charlotte on the basis of their gender.