Why Prince Louis Is a Prince: The Royal Rule Queen Elizabeth Changed

In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II updated a 1917 rule by King George V that limited who could be called “Prince” or “Princess.” Originally, only the monarch’s children, male-line grandchildren, and the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales got the title.

Under that rule, only Prince George would have been a prince. Charlotte and Louis wouldn’t have qualified.

But the Queen changed that—declaring all of Prince William’s children would get royal titles. So when Prince Louis was born in 2018, he became a prince thanks to this modern update.

Queen Elizabeth II’s 2012 Letters Patent: Modernizing Royal Titles

On December 31, 2012, Queen Elizabeth II issued a new Letters Patent, declaring that all children of Prince William—the eldest son of the Prince of Wales—would be titled Prince or Princess and styled HRH. This ensured that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis all received equal royal status from birth, reflecting modern views on gender equality.

Why Prince Harry’s Children Weren’t Included

The 2012 decree applied only to Prince William’s children. As Prince Harry was not the eldest son, his children were excluded. When Archie was born in 2019, he didn’t receive a title—consistent with the original 1917 rule. However, after King Charles III took the throne in 2022, Archie and Lilibet became eligible for Prince and Princess titles as grandchildren of the monarch—though their parents have chosen limited public use of those titles.

What If the Queen Hadn’t Stepped In?

If Queen Elizabeth II hadn’t changed the 1917 rule in 2012, Prince Louis wouldn’t be a prince. He likely would’ve been called Master Louis Cambridge or Master Louis Windsor. Princess Charlotte might’ve been Lady Charlotte Windsor, much like Lady Louise Windsor today.