Royal Family Welcomes Prince Louis: A Look at His Title and Royal Lineage

The royal family welcomed the newest member, little baby Louis, this week.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's third child arrived as a happy and healthy little boy, weighing eight pounds and seven ounces, capturing the hearts of the nation.

The newborn's full title is now known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.

Interestingly, he was not originally destined to be a prince, but a twist of fate led to his royal designation thanks to a significant intervention by his great-grandmother.

In 1917, King George V made a crucial decision to restrict HRH titles within the royal lineage.

This ruling dictated that only the monarch, their children, grandchildren, and the Prince of Wales's first grandson could hold official titles.

Under these previous regulations, Prince George would have been the only one entitled to the prince status, while his younger siblings would have borne different titles.

Charlotte might have been referred to as Lady Charlotte Mountbottom Windsor, and the latest addition, Louis, would have been known as Lord Louis Mountbottom Windsor.

Kate's first child, had it been a girl, would not have inherited the princess title under the old rules.

However, prior to Prince George's birth, his great-grandmother intervened to ensure that her great-grandchildren held titles befitting future monarchs.

Just before Prince George's arrival, the Queen issued a letters patent, a legal instrument that allowed her to enact the change without parliamentary approval.

A notice in the London Gazette proclaimed, “The Queen, by letters patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated December 31, 2012, declared that all children of the Prince of Wales's eldest son should bear the style, title, and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or other honorable titles.”

This significant announcement coincided with Kate's 31st birthday in 2013, during her pregnancy with Prince George.