Why Queen Elizabeth II’s Youngest Grandchildren Will Not Use Royal Titles

Prince William and Harry’s younger cousins made headlines this weekend over news they will not be using their royal titles.

Prince Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, opened up to the U.K.’s Sunday Times about how they have chosen to raise their children, Lady Louise Windsor, 16, and James, Viscount Severn, 12.

She explained that so far they have tried to give them a more normal upbringing, and therefore opted not to use HRH titles.

“We try to bring them up with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living,” she said. “Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but it’s highly unlikely.”

The 55-year-old, who married Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son in 1999, went on, “I guess not everyone’s grandparents live in a castle, but where you are going is not the important part, or who they are. When they are with the Queen, she is their grandmother.”

The idea of skipping HRH titles isn’t new. Princess Anne’s children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, have also chosen not to use titles. Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle recently gave up their titles when they stepped down from senior royal duties, months after announcing son Archie would grow up without one.

When asked about Markle, Sophie said, “We all try to help any new member of the family,” adding of the couple’s move to L.A., “I just hope they will be happy.”