Meghan Markle's name on baby Lilibet Diana's birth certificate is very different to the one used on Archie's

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 09, 2020 in London, England.
(Image credit: Getty Images / Samir Hussein / Contributor)

Meghan Markle has reportedly dropped her royal title on baby Lilibet Diana's birth certificate, using her maiden name instead.

 Lilibet is Her Majesty the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild and eighth in the line of succession - but her birth certificate is believed to show that just one parent is a royal, unlike her brother Archie's. 

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall on March 07, 2020 in London, England.

According to TMZ, Prince Harry's name is listed as His Royal Highness, The Duke of Sussex on the official document, but Meghan's pre-marital name has been used. 

The former Suits star is listed as Meghan Rachel Markle, dropping her HRH title of The Duchess of Sussex on the certificate.

This differs from their son, Archie’s birth certificate, on which both parents are documented as The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The couple stepped back from their royal duties last year and moved permanently to their new LA home.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meets children as she attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 09, 2020 in London, England.

Although Prince Harry has been stripped of his military title, the couple is still permitted to use their HRH titles, as they were a gift from the Queen on their wedding day.

However, Meghan's use of the name she used before she stepped into the royal spotlight may be an indicator of just how far the couple wish to distance themselves from the monarchy.

This news follows Prince Harry’s return to the UK for Princess Diana's memorial, in honour of what would've been her 60th birthday next week. A statue is being unveiled at Kensington Palace and Prince Harry will join his brother, Prince William, for the poignant occasion. 

This is the first time Harry is returning to the UK since Lilibet’s birth and was last in Windsor for Prince Philip's funeral in April.

It's thought that Meghan has not accompanied him on the trip, having remained at home on maternity leave with newborn Lilibet and two-year-old Archie. 

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Lifestyle team and has recently earned her Gold Standard Diploma in Journalism from the NCTJ. She has a background in design, having studied Illustration at Plymouth University but has taken a leap into the world of journalism after always having a passion for writing. She currently writes pieces on beauty, fashion, and entertainment for Goodto.com and My Imperfect Life.