What surname will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's child have? It's complicated.

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Royal names are confusing at the best of times and the surname of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s future child has truly thrown us in a loop.

While the family name of the British Royal Family is said to be Mountbatten-Windsor – after Prince Philip and the Queen – it’s often not the official last name used by royals.

Instead, it’s more common practice for royal children to take the dynasty or house title of their parents as their surname. For example, according to The Sun, Prince William and Prince Harry were referred to as William and Harry Wales due to their father being Prince Charles of Wales. Likewise Kensington Palace has previously stated Prince George’s official name on his school register is ‘George Cambridge’ after his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

It’s believed this was adopted to allow royal children to better adjust at school, which makes sense when you call the Queen of England your great-great-grandmother.

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Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019. Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public. ????PA

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Following this royal protocol, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s baby is set to carry the last name of Sussex – as the couple’s titles are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Despite this, there is a royal loophole that could suggest their potential offspring won’t be royals in the strict sense.

In Letters Patent issued by King George V in 1917, it states only the children, and grandchildren of the sons of any Sovereign in the direct male line will hold the titles of His/Her Royal Highness, and Prince and Princess.

Currently this means royal titles are only reserved for Prince Charles, Prince William and his children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, meaning Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s children could go by Lord and Lady Mountbatten-Windsor. Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children are an exception to the rule because their father is directly in line to the throne.

However – this would all change if the Queen chooses to abdicate the throne, or passes away before their children are born. In this case Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s offspring would be given official Prince and Princess titles as they’re the grandchildren of the Sovereign (Prince Charles) in the direct male line (AKA Prince Harry).

We should also add the Queen herself can override any of this and give her future great-grand children ‘royal titles’ because well… she’s the Queen and can do whatever she damn well pleases.

Like we said… royal names are bloody confusing.