This is how I think it stands but don’t forget no-one can say what the true situation is about Archie’s birth so it is all speculation.
They have brought it all on themselves by being so secretive.
A parental order is an adoption the only difference being whether one of the applicants is genetically related to the child So what Lady C is saying is correct.
You must apply for a parental order (or adoption if you want to become the legal parent of the child.
Parental orders
You can apply for a parental order with a partner or on your own.
Apply with a partner
One of you must be genetically related to the child - in other words, be the egg or sperm donor. You must be one of the following:
- married
- have the child living with you
- reside permanently in either the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
- You must apply within 6 months of the child’s birth
The intended parents will then be given full rights over the child. A birth certificate can then be re-issued, with their names written as the legal parents.
However when it comes to succession to the throne an adopted child cannot be in the line of succession under current rules.
Archie would not automatically have been HRH anyway when he was born because the Queen still alive but it is in the Queen’s ( or future King’s) govern to change the rules of the House of Windsor as she did for William’s younger children.
Personally I don’t doubt that Meghan wanted Archie to be given the HRH.
The Queen has no control over the names given so I wonder if he was called Archie in a fit of pique when Meghan realised she wasn’t getting her own way.