Excited parents Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank shared the news of the birth of baby Ernest as the Royal Family welcomed its youngest member. However, while little Ernest is 13th in line to the throne, behind his mother and two-year-old brother August, he won’t hold any royal titles.
The reason why Eugenie’s children won’t receive titles, while Prince Harry’s son and daughter were bestowed with prince and princess titles, is down to a royal rule.
Only children of the sovereign, children of the sons of the sovereign, and the oldest living son of the Prince of Wales are eligible to receive the HRH status and prince and princess titles.
This means that baby Ernest and his older brother August, being great nephews of King Charles, cannot be granted titles.
This differs from the case of Harry and Meghan’s children who were recently bestowed with prince and princess titles.
At the time of their birth, they were great-grandchildren of the late Queen Elizabeth II, making them eligible for titles.
As they are now children of a son of a sovereign, they are permitted to use prince and princess titles.
Ernest is Queen Elizabeth II’s first great-grandchild to be born following her death in September last year.
Princess Eugenie, who is the 11th in line to the throne, took to Instagram to share the news of her baby boy.
She shared adorable snaps on her social media accounts and wrote: “Jack and I wanted to share the news that we had our little boy, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank on 30th May 2023 at 8.49 weighing 7.1lbs.
“He is named after his great great great Grandfather George, his Grandpa George and my Grandpa Ronald. Augie is loving being a big brother already.”
With the arrival of Eugenie’s youngest child, known as Master Brooksbank, he is now the 13th in the line of succession, bumping Prince Edward down to the 14th spot.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “A small announcement we are pleased to share.
“Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their son, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank. Ernest was born on Tuesday, 30th May, and weighed 7lbs 1oz.
“Her Royal Highness has shared photographs on her Instagram account this afternoon.”
