Archie and Lilibet risk becoming “royal celebrities” with Prince Harry’s past. – In question

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s children risk being considered “royal celebrities” when they grow up, says Tom Quinn, author of books on royalty. The journalist believes that Archie and Lilibet will benefit from their royal heritage and the attraction that the Firm has always had for Americans. By contrast, the son and daughter of Meghan and Prince Harry may struggle to emerge from the shadow of their parents’ popularity and legacy, Mr Quinn said.

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The author of the just-released book Gilded Youth told Encause.co.uk: “I think Archie and Lilibet will benefit immensely from their royal connection, which we know still dazzles people in America, the royal family is still an abiding interest in America.

“But I think they will be seen as royal celebrities. And I say that in the sense that they will almost be a branch of the movie and theater celebrities in America.

“So I think it will be very difficult for them, because they may suffer from the growing feeling that they are only celebrities because they were born, not because they have talent. I think that, unless Meghan and Harry are very careful and very lucky, will end up being a burden.”

Mr Quinn argued that, like many children of Hollywood stars, Archie and Lili risk ending up with celebrity status forced upon them because of their birth rather than their own actions and work.

While the children’s royal status and the fame they inherited may prevent Archie and Lili from having regular jobs in the future, Mr Quinn does not rule out that they could still “make their mark” in the career of their choice and be recognized for their own talent.

Mr Quinn, whose latest book analyzes the upbringing of royal children over the generations, added that the children are ‘locked in’ by their status, which locks them in – as it has done for other members of the royal family in the past – in a “golden cage”.

Speaking ahead of the announcement of Meghan and Harry’s decision to use the titles of prince and princess for their children, he said: “Everything is golden, and you have a wonderful life, you are materially rich, you can travel, you have all the best clothes and you never worry about money. But the downside is you can’t escape, it’s golden but you can’t escape.

“Princess Margaret is the perfect example. She thought, perhaps rightly, that she was artistically and musically gifted.

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“But she always felt deep down that when people praised her singing and the various things she did, it was only because she was the Queen’s sister, she didn’t could never escape this.

As grandchildren of the current monarch and children of the fifth heir to the throne, Archie and Lili are inevitably tied to the monarchy.

Mr Quinn noted that the Sussexes’ daughter is also linked to the world of royalty through her first names, as Lilibet is the late monarch’s childhood nickname and Diana is a tribute to Harry’s beloved mother.

He said: “She has been named in a way that links her very closely to England and the Royal Family.”

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Meghan and Harry don’t seem to want to deny their children’s birthright or alienate them from their heir, as they recently announced their decision to call them Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The children, who live in California, were allowed to bear the names Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet when King Charles ascended the throne in September.

It is understood that the Duke and Duchess want the children to have the opportunity to use their titles in the future, if they wish.

Gilded Youth by Tom Quinn, published by Biteback, is available in hardback for £15.