The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed their newborn baby boy -- Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor -- to the world Wednesday. Prince Harry and Meghan’s unconventional choice of Archie raised some eyebrows, while others were puzzled by the double-barrelled surname. Many commentators, including CTV News royal commentator, Richard Berthelsen saw the last-name choice as a nod to the baby’s great-grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, whose last name was Mountbatten. But in fact all the Queen's descendants since 1960, other than those with the style of Royal Highness and the title of Prince or Princess, or female descendants who marry, would carry the name of Mountbatten-Windsor. “In 1960, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh decided that they would like their own direct descendants to be distinguished from the rest of the Royal Family,” according to the Royal Family website. “This reflected Prince Philip's surname. In 1947, when Prince Philip of Greece became naturalised, he assumed the name of Philip Mountbatten as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.” The effect of the declaration was that all the Queen's children, on occasions when they needed a surname, would have the surname Mountbatten-Windsor. Prince Philip’s uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten, was probably the most famous royal to hold the name. A distant cousin of the Queen, as a great-grandson of Queen Victoria, he was killed by the Irish Republican Army while on holiday in 1979. In 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate, named their third-born child Louis in remembrance of Prince Charles' much-loved great-uncle. “Before 1917, members of the British Royal Family had no surname, but only the name of the house or dynasty to which they belonged,” according to the royal’s website. “In 1917, George V adopted Windsor, not only as the name of the 'House' or dynasty, but also as the surname of his family.” The name change from house Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was a result of anti-German sentiment during the First World War. The name Windsor was adopted after the castle of the same name. “For the most part, members of the Royal Family who are entitled to the style and dignity of HRH Prince or Princess do not need a surname, but if at any time any of them do need a surname (such as upon marriage), that surname is Mountbatten-Windsor,” the royal website says. “Unless The Prince of Wales chooses to alter the present decisions when he becomes king, he will continue to be of the House of Windsor and his grandchildren will use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.” The surname Mountbatten-Windsor first appeared on an official document on November 14, 1973, in the marriage register at Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.<doc-sep>She said the name was still quite unusual when she chose it, but it has since risen in popularity and she expects it to become even more popular.<doc-sep>BABY Archie was named after Meghan’s pet cat and a vintage US comic she used to collect, her pals believe. The future Duchess of Sussex used to tell friends about her beloved moggie Archie, who ended up fat after being constantly fed frozen grapes. 8 Meghan Markle and her beloved pet cat Archie Credit: Splash News They reckon the newborn’s name could be a nostalgic reference to the pet who was also adored by Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland, 62. A former close friend said on Thursday night: “Doria rescued Archie and he became an important part of the household. Meghan loved playing with him and she was always talking about him to her friends. “It’s no surprise she named her new baby Archie. She loved that cat.” Meghan once shared a video of her stroking Archie while playing with another of her moggies. He is believed to have died while Meghan was at college in Illinois. He was named after the title character in US comic Archie, which she collected with dad Thomas, 74. Meghan was said to have been “obsessed” with the antics of ginger-haired teen Archie Andrews — and her baby’s name may also be a nod to her dad, despite their turbulent relationship. The friend said: “She would spend her weekends going to vintage stores to buy the comics. “This could be a little nod to her dad. It was him who instilled that hobby into her, that was their activity together. He would drive her around and also surprise her with vintage volumes. She had at least 100. This may be a way to reach out to her dad, even after all that’s happened.” The comics have had a new lease of life as teen TV series Riverdale. 8 Meghan used to collect the Archie comic with her dad Thomas most read in uk news 'TARGETED ATTACK' Man stabbed to death in shocking broad daylight knife ambush in Oldham 'EVERYTHING CHANGED' Mum relives moment son, 3, was hit by a bin lorry as sister gave CPR VILE ATTACK Three women beat victim unconscious and stamped on her HEAD outside Yates' bar HIGH TIDE A TON of cocaine worth £80million tied to life jackets washes up on Sussex coast MURDEROUS PLOT Woman got pals to drown 'vulnerable' lover when she 'ghosted' him after sex WILLS OF STEEL Kate DJs but Wills says 'It sounds like a cat. It’s hurting my ears' Archie was the 11th-most popular baby name for new parents in 2019, according to website Bounty. It was also the 10th-most popular name for dogs in the UK, according to data analytic company SEMrush. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s son Prince George also bizarrely revealed to a dog walker who bumped into him in Berkshire earlier this year with his gran Carole Middleton: “I’m called Archie.” Cheers to new grandson THE Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall wet baby Archie’s head on the third day of their tour of Germany. They visited a beer hall in Munich — where they waltzed to a live band with German partners who were in traditional dress. Earlier, a three-gun salute marked their arrival in the city. Children presented Camilla with flowers and Charles was handed small teddy bears and gifts for his new grandson — including lederhosen and a toy pretzel. 8 Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on Monday Credit: PA:Press Association 8 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose with their newborn son at Windsor Castle Credit: PA:Press Association 8 In scenes from an old family video, Meghan is petting her moggy Credit: Splash News 8 The future Duchess is seen lavishing attention on her treasured cat Credit: Splash News 8 Cat Archie and Meghan are approached by another of her moggies Credit: Splash News 8 The former Hollywood actress was always talking about her pet to pals, a source said Credit: Splash News Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle named their new baby boy Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor<doc-sep>
The Duke and Duchess have reportedly named the newest addition to the royal family, baby Archie, after Meghan’s pet cat according to friends of the former actress. Friends of Meghan believe the newborn’s name could be a nostalgic reference to her childhood cat, also named Archie, who ended up becoming fat after being constantly fed frozen grapes. Meghan, 37, adored her childhood feline friend, named Archie, who was also loved by the royal’s mum Doria Ragland, 62. A former close friend of Meghan told The Sun on Thursday night: ‘Doria rescued Archie and he became an important part of the household. ‘Meghan loved playing with him and she was always talking about him to her friends. It’s no surprise she named her new baby Archie. She loved that cat.’ The royal’s cat, named after the title character in US comic Archie, which she collected with her dad Thomas Markle, 74, is believed to have died while Megan was at college in Illinois. The former Suits actress, was said to have been obsessed with the adventures of the ginger-haired teen Archie Andrews — and her baby’s name may also be a nod to her dad, despite their turbulent relationship. Meghan’s friend said: ‘She would spend her weekends going to vintage stores to buy the comics. This could be a little nod to her dad. ‘He would drive her around and also surprise her with vintage volumes. She had at least 100. This may be a way to reach out to her dad, even after all that’s happened.’ The Archie comics were picked up by Netflix in 2017 and have been made into the now popular teen TV series Riverdale. Archie was the 11th-most popular baby name for new parents in 2019, according to the website Bounty. It was also the 10th-most popular name for dogs in the UK, according to data analytics company, SEMrush. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s son Prince George, aged five-years-old, revealed to a dog walker who bumped into him in Berkshire earlier this year with his gran Carole Middleton: ‘I’m called Archie.’