Spectators eagerly awaiting news about the royal baby got a bit of a surprise Wednesday as his name was revealed. While bookmakers put the best odds on Prince Harry and Meghan naming a son Alexander, Spencer or Arthur, the couple went with Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor instead. The last name left many people scratching their heads. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the name in a brief statement Wednesday, shortly after making their first public appearance with their newborn son at Windsor Castle. Perhaps more intriguing than the polarizing first name "Archie" is the last name "Mountbatten-Windsor." The royals rarely go by their surname — and most people don't even know what it is. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born on Monday morning. POOL Even the royals know it's all a bit mystifying. "People often ask whether members of the Royal Family have a surname, and, if so, what it is," their official website reads. "Members of the Royal Family can be known both by the name of the Royal house, and by a surname, which are not always the same. And often they do not use a surname at all." Up until 1917, British royals didn't really have last names. Monarchs have typically been known by their first name and the country where they ruled. British kings and queens in history have been associated with dynasties with different names, such as Henry IV and the Lancastrians; Edward IV and the Yorkists; and Henry VII and the Tudors, the site explains. It wasn't until Queen Elizabeth's great-grandfather, George V, settled on Windsor as his dynasty's name that the royals started using it as their official surname. However, in 1960, Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, decided to distinguish themselves from past royals. So they started using a hyphenated surname: Mountbatten-Windsor. Prince Phillip, who was the prince of Greece and Denmark before marrying Queen Elizabeth, abandoned those titles and adopted the surname Mountbatten from his maternal grandparents. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, changed their official surname to Mountbatten-Windsor in 1960. Previously, the family was just "Windsor" – if anything. Getty So the queen's children and grandchildren may use Mountbatten-Windsor as a surname – when they need to. Royals don't really have much use for last names; they already have long enough titles, like Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his big brother Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. However, if Prince Charles or later Prince William wanted to change the surname from Mountbatten-Windsor when they become king, they could. Their children and grandchildren would use whatever surname they chose, the royal family's website explains. To complicate things even more, members of the royal family may go by completely different last names in certain public situations, such as when Prince Harry was in the army. At the time, he was known as Prince Harry of Wales. (He didn't get the title Duke of Sussex until his wedding day.) In the military, he went by Officer Cadet Wales, with Wales effectively serving as his last name when he needed one. When Prince Harry joined the Army and needed to go by a surname, he was known as Officer Cadet Wales. At the time, he was the Prince of Wales. AP Now that Harry is Duke of Sussex, his son would presumably go by Officer Cadet Sussex if he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the army. Other royals have adopted this method of creating a surname when they're in public situations that require one. For example, Prince George of Cambridge — the oldest son of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (the former Kate Middleton) — is known as George Cambridge at school, The Guardian reports. Prince George was not given any last name when his birth was announced. As for baby Archie's middle name — Harrison — it is not after his father, Harry. Prince Harry's real first name is actually Henry, to make things even more complicated. For now, the mystery of Archie's first and middle name still remains.<doc-sep>London — Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have revealed the name of their first child. The new royal baby is named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The royal couple made the announcement Wednesday via their official Instagram account, ending several days of feverish speculation about their son's name. The announcement came with a black and white photo showing Queen Elizabeth II meeting her new grandson. The monarch was flanked by her husband, Prince Philip, and her grandson, Prince Harry, and Meghan stood beside her mother, Doria Ragland. Archie became seventh in line to the British throne the moment he was born, but he won't be called "his royal highness," as the rules around the granting of royal titles were tightened up about 100 years ago. Harry and Meghan could have chosen to have Archie bestowed with an aristocratic title — make him an earl, for instance — but they decided against it. Britain's booming betting business had shown before Wednesday's announcement that a lot of punters expected the new baby to be named Alexander, Arthur, Philip or a handful of other go-to historical British royal names. Archie was considered a more contemporary choice by many royal observers, but not one that was totally unexpected of Harry and Meghan. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son, who was born on Monday morning, during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, May 8, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/PA Meeting the royal baby Earlier on Wednesday Harry and Meghan introduced their son to the world in a highly-orchestrated photo opportunity at Windsor Castle, but they declined at the time to give his name. Meghan, who appeared happy and healthy, said her son had "been a dream" and has the "sweetest temperament, he's really calm." The new-born slept right through his first media encounter. "It's magic, it's pretty amazing, and I have the two best guys in the world, so I'm really happy," she said during her son's first brief encounter with a television camera. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son during a photocall in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle, west of London, May 8, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire "His looks are changing every single day," Harry noted. "Parenting is amazing. It's only been, what, two and a half days, three days, but we're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy, and to be able to spend some special time with him as he slowly starts to grow up." "He's already got a little bit of facial hair as well," the bearded prince joked. Harry and Meghan thanked the public for their well-wishes before they left the camera position, Harry cradling their son in his arms and Meghan resting her arm around his shoulders. The royal birth Meghan gave birth to the couple's first child at 5:26 a.m. local time Monday, May 6. He weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces, and Harry said on the day that both mom and baby were doing well. Meghan had hoped and planned for a home birth, but it has been widely reported — though not yet confirmed by the palace — that in the end the royal couple welcomed their first child into the world in a London hospital. Many newspapers and royal observers have said Meghan gave birth at London's Portland Hospital for Women and Children, an exclusive private facility in the heart of the British capital. Buckingham Palace has issued no statement on the reports, but has not refuted them. On Monday, new dad Prince Harry beamed as he announced his son's birth. "I am so incredibly proud of my wife, and as every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing, but this little thing is absolutely to die for, so I am just over the moon," Harry told reporters. "Thank you very much guys. Thank you." Royal reporter Roya Nikkah said this royal baby was always going to be unlike any other. "We now have the first British-American prince born into the royal family, that's a landmark moment," she said. "I suppose it shows how ... international and diverse we are as a society."<doc-sep>The wait is over, you can finally see this adorable panda cub Viral 'Charlie bit my finger' video to be taken down. Here's why The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were introduced to the newborn son of The Duke & Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle. Ms Doria Ragland was also present. The Duke & Duchess of Sussex are delighted to announce that they have named their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. (CNN) — Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Sussex are continuing to balance innovation with the need to maintain traditions in their choice of name for their son. Hours after the world saw its first glimpse of Meghan and Harry’s new son, the newborn’s name was revealed on their official Instagram account as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. While there are no rules for choosing names, the British royal family likes to honor those who came before them. Bookmakers had Arthur and Edward, as well as Philip (a nod to Harry’s grandfather), among their top choices for a newborn son. But none of these made the cut. “Instead of a traditional royal name, they chose a name they loved,” said CNN’s royal correspondent Max Foster. “What they are very much doing is reflecting their generation. They are not looking to history, they are looking to now.” Archie Harrison may not have any precedent in the royal family, apart from Archibald Douglas, the 6th Earl of Angus who was Scotland’s King James V’s stepfather until Margaret Tudor, the elder sister of England’s Henry VIII, divorced him in the 16th century. But digging further back to 1066, using data from Britannica Academic and the monarchy’s official website, CNN has not found the name Archie or Harrison among the names of any British monarch and their immediate offspring. Without title Seventh in line to the throne, Archie Harrison does not qualify immediately for the title of prince. Buckingham Palace told CNN on Wednesday the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen not to use any title at all for their son. While Archie will have the right to use his father’s second peerage title, Earl of Dumbarton – his parents have indicated they won’t be using it for him. However, when Prince Charles becomes King, Prince Harry’s son will automatically become His Royal Highness Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. It is not unheard of to decline to bestow titles: Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips did the same with her daughters Mia Grace and Lena Elizabeth. Harry and Meghan’s son’s name is not the first trailblazing moment for the new royal couple, following their wedding ceremony last May that seemed to make a statement at every turn. In a striking image, the outspoken American divorcée walked unescorted part of the way down the aisle followed by her 10 bridesmaids and page boys. The couple then listened to a stirring address by Bishop Michael Curry, the first African-American head of the Episcopal Church in the United States. His impassioned speech was followed by a performance of the Ben E. King classic “Stand by Me” by The Kingdom Choir, a group of 20 gospel singers. The couple also announced the royal baby was a boy on their official Instagram page, hours before the ceremonial easel was placed at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London. The bulletin read that Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family were “delighted at the news that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex was safely delivered of a son.”<doc-sep>Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor Makes His Debut 1 / 9 Chevron Chevron By Domic Lipinski/PA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock. After introducing their newborn son to the world with a photo call at Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have finally shared his name: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The name’s significance was not announced, but Meghan is a distant relative of Benjamin Harrison, a former U.S. President, which might make it the name that unites the U.S. and U.K.. The photograph that accompanied the name announcement included Prince Philip, the Queen, and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland smiling at the infant: The baby will have no formal title, and will be known simply as Master Archie. The baby is seventh in line to the throne, and is the Queen’s eighth great-grandchild. Because the baby is unlikely to ever take the throne, speculation was rampant that Harry and Meghan might opt for a less traditional name, with James, Alexander and Spencer—the maiden name of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana— all popular options. Born early Monday morning, the baby’s very existence was kept secret for a surprisingly long time, with the birth announcement coming from Buckingham Palace— and on Instagram— nine hours after his birth. Despite reports that the baby was born in a hospital, and not at home as Meghan and Harry had wished, the Palace did not confirm the reports, saying that the details of the birth “will be kept private.” During the photo call at Windsor Castle, Meghan told the small pool of reporters, “I have the two best guys in the world, so I'm really happy.” She and Harry said that they still couldn‘t decided who the baby looked like, but “He has the sweetest temperament. He's really calm.” After the photo call the baby was brought to meet the Queen and Prince Philip. With William and Kate at an engagement in Wales today, and Charles and Camilla in Germany, it is unclear which other royals will meet the baby in the coming days. Meghan is prepared for V.I.P. visitors, however, having stocked up on her favorite tea. More Great Stories from Vanity Fair — The campiest looks from this year’s Met Gala — Shooting a tiger: the bitter infighting, global protests, and massive egos of India’s most controversial tiger hunt — How the thong inventor’s work lives on — When did fashion get religious? — Dispatches from Andy Warhol’s “human tape recorder” Looking for more? Sign up for our daily newsletter and never miss a story.<doc-sep>
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed their royal baby's name on Wednesday. Baby Sussex's name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pleased to announce they have named their first born child: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor," the new parents wrote on Instagram. "This afternoon Their Royal Highnesses introduced Her Majesty The Queen to her eighth great-grandchild at Windsor Castle. The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess’ mother were also present for this special occasion." WHERE PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE'S ROYAL BABY FALLS IN THE LINE TO THE BRITISH THRONE Mountbatten-Windsor is a surname used by some members of the royal family. The couple did not choose an aristocratic title for the baby, who is not a prince but could have been given a title with "Lord" before his first name. The couple did not disclose why they had chosen the names — though the meaning of Harrison, "son of Harry," could be a clue. After Archie Harrison was born on Monday morning, a beaming Prince Harry, 34, told reporters, "The baby is a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it. That's the next bit." PRINCE HARRY WILL BE A HANDS ON PARENT LIKE PRINCESS DIANA, ROYAL EXPERT SPECULATES Oddsmakers previously claimed that Alexander was the top choice, followed by Arthur — one of Prince Charles' middle names — for the first name of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's firstborn son. Other runners up included Philip, after Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh — Queen Elizabeth II's husband. Spencer was also speculated for a name as a tribute to Prince Harry's beloved late mother, Princess Diana. PRINCE HARRY TO BECOME EVEN MORE PROTECTIVE OF MEGHAN MARKLE AFTER BIRTH OF ROYAL BABY, ROYAL EXPERT CLAIMS WHO WILL BE THE ROYAL BABY'S GODPARENTS? Duchess Meghan, 37, and Prince Harry, 34, first debuted their son Wednesday morning outside of their Windsor Castle home, but did not reveal his name at the time, keeping in line with their desire to protect their privacy during Meghan's pregnancy and the baby's delivery. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were elated at the birth of Archie Harrison. MEGHAN MARKLE BREAKS TRADITION, WON'T POSE FOR PHOTOS OUTSIDE HOSPITAL AFTER BIRTH OF ROYAL BABY MEGHAN MARKLE LIKELY TO RAISE ROYAL BABY WITH AMERICAN TRADITIONS "It's magic! It's really amazing. I have the two best guys in the world, so I'm really happy," Duchess Meghan, clad in a white button-front double-breasted dress, said Wednesday morning. "He's already got a bit of facial hair as well," Prince Harry, who held his son, joked to the press. Duchess Meghan said that the baby boy has the "sweetest temperament," gushing, "He's really calm. It's just been a dream. It's been a special couple of days." WILL MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY'S BABY BOY INHERIT HIS FATHER'S SIGNATURE RED HAIR? KATE MIDDLETON, PRINCE WILLIAM OFFER MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY PARENTING ADVICE "I wonder where he gets that from," Prince Harry remarked with a chuckle. Prince Harry said that he and Meghan are not sure who Archie Harrison resembles most, noting that the royal baby's looks have been "changing every single day." "Parenting is amazing. It's only been, what? Two and a half days, three days? But we're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy. We're looking forward to spending precious times with him as he slowly, slowly starts to grow up," he said. MEGHAN MARKLE'S MOTHER, DORIA RAGLAND, 'OVERJOYED' AT BIRTH OF ROYAL BABY BOY, HER FIRST GRANDCHILD MEGHAN MARKLE'S FATHER SPEAKS OUT AFTER BIRTH OF ROYAL BABY BOY Prince Harry couldn't hide his joy after the birth of the baby boy, telling press on Monday that he was "incredibly proud" of his wife of less than a year. "Mother and baby are doing incredibly well," he said. "It's been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension but we're both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the lovely support." The couple announced the birth of their son on their record-breaking @SussexRoyal Instagram account. MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY'S BABY BOY SHARES BIRTHDAY WITH A-LIST CELEBRITY PAL ALL THE WAYS PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE BROKE ROYAL PROTOCOL LEADING TO ROYAL BABY'S BIRTH The announcement read, "We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019.