When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, into the world, they faced a mix of joy and dilemmas regarding royal tradition.
One particular worry?
The title of Earl of Dumbarton, which would accompany their son due to his lineage.
This noble title, however, didn’t sit well with the couple.
According to royal biographer Tom Bower, Meghan had a rather blunt response to the idea that her son would inherit the title.
Following a call from Sir Thomas Woodcock about Archie’s titles shortly after his birth in May 2019, it’s reported that Meghan exclaimed, “Hell no. No son of mine is going to be called Dumb.”
Her candid reaction highlights her discomfort with the moniker.
The arrangement of titles can be complex in royal circles.
When Harry and Meghan married, they were granted various titles, including those that connected them to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Specifically, Meghan became the Countess of Dumbarton, yet the notion of her son carrying the same title seemed to irk her.
Bower elaborates that this concern was rooted in the potential ridicule Archie might face.
It wasn’t just Meghan who found the title troublesome.
Reports indicate that Prince Harry shared her fears about the possible teasing their son could endure due to the unpleasant connotation of the word “dumb.” In fact, a source disclosed back in 2021 that their apprehension stemmed from the negative implications associated with the name.
Not surprisingly, their decision not to embrace the title stirred discontent among the residents of Dumbarton.
Scottish Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament, Jackie Baillie, openly expressed her pride in representing Dumbarton and called for Harry and Meghan to reconsider.
She emphasized the community’s welcoming nature, stating that embracing the title could offer great honor to the town.
Local responses didn’t just stop at political commentary.
Many inhabitants took to social media, suggesting alternatives for titles, with playful jabs such as “Earl of Wokingham” surfacing.
The sentiment echoed a strong sense of pride, as residents argued that the title should be something the royal couple would cherish rather than shy away from.
While the Earl of Dumbarton title highlighted one concern, it wasn’t the only aspect of Archie’s identity that Harry and Meghan carefully considered.
Shortly after his arrival, the couple announced that they had no intention of designating him as a prince.
They sought to create boundaries and preserve their son’s privacy, rejecting traditional royal expectations.
Things took a turn when the couple’s daughter, Lilibet, arrived.
In what seemed like a shift in their stance, they opted to use the titles of prince and princess for their children, a decision that sparked curiosity.
The Palace later confirmed that these titles would be utilized in formal contexts while allowing the children to navigate their identities independently in day-to-day life.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the royal titles, the couple’s decision-making contrasts with other royals like Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who chose not to bestow similar titles on their children.
Princess Anne also opted out of granting titles to her children, aiming to instill independence.
In an effort to emphasize unity and distance from traditional royal expectations, Harry and Meghan have publicly referred to their children as Archie Sussex and Lilibet Sussex, diverging from their official surname, Mountbatten-Windsor.
This move reflects the couple’s desire to cultivate a unique family identity.
The Earl of Dumbarton title itself carries a rich history, created in 1675 for notable service in battle.
After becoming defunct for many years, the title was reinstated for Harry when he wed Meghan in 2018.
Yet, as it stands, this historically significant moniker remains unclaimed by Archie due to his parents’ reservations.
As Archie grows older, the landscape of titles and what they mean may evolve.
For now, however, it appears that the Earl of Dumbarton title remains an abandoned trinket of royal heritage, sidelined by the wishes and concerns of a family seeking to forge its path while navigating the intricate expectations of royal life.