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ROYAL BLOOD

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s new baby will be eighth in line to the throne

THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new baby will be eighth in line to the throne.

The first seven places will remain unchanged — the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Harry, and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

Meghan and Harry's new bundle of joy will be eighth in line to the throne
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Meghan and Harry's new bundle of joy will be eighth in line to the throneCredit: AFP or licensors

Harry has retained his place in the line of succession despite quitting royal life.

The baby boy or girl will enter the line of succession behind their older brother Archie.

Baby Sussex will either be the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s 10th or 11th great-grandchild, depending on whether he or she is born before or after Zara Tindall’s baby.

The baby will not be entitled to be an HRH nor be a prince or a princess due to rules set out over 100 years ago by George V.

The couple announced the pregnancy with this black and white snap
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The couple announced the pregnancy with this black and white snapCredit: Misan Harriman
Meghan pictured while pregnant with Archie in 2018
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Meghan pictured while pregnant with Archie in 2018Credit: Telegraph Media Group Ltd.

As the first-born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

But the duke and duchess broke with royal convention by making a personal decision not to use a title, thought to be inspired by Harry's wish to have been a normal child, rather than a prince, as he grew up.

The baby will, however, like Archie, be entitled to be an HRH and a prince or princess when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne - although it is thought unlikely that Harry and Meghan will opt for such a change.

Little Archie will remain seventh in line to the throne after dad Harry
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Little Archie will remain seventh in line to the throne after dad HarryCredit: Getty - Pool
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