Royal baby: Title of Meghan and Harry's firstborn child

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed a son at 05:26am on May 6, 2019.

While the world waits for the first photographs of their baby – expected in the coming days – there’s been talk about what title he will be given.

Meghan and Harry’s son is not expected to be a prince, unless the Queen issues a new letters patent.

This is because King George V limited titles within the Royal Family and is only held by children of the Sovereign, male-line grandchildren of the Sovereign and the children of the Prince of Wales’s eldest son.

Instead the duke and duchess’ son will take the title of the Earl of Dumbarton – one of Harry’s subsidiary titles given to him by the Queen on his wedding day last May.

The title was first created in the Peerage of Scotland on 9 March 1675 for Lord George Douglas, who was the son of the Marquess of Douglas.

Meghan and Harry’s baby is seventh in the line of succession to the throne, behind his father.

READ MORE: Watch Prince Harry’s first interview after the birth of Baby Sussex

The duke says he and Meghan are “still thinking about names.”

Alexander is currently the 2/1 favourite at Betfair, followed by James at 7/2, Arthur at 5/1 and Philip at 9/1.

It has not been confirmed where Meghan had her baby, but she’s thought to have had a home birth at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Harry was by her side for the birth and her mother Doria Ragland is staying with the couple.

READ MORE: Palace ‘caught by surprise’ by arrival of royal baby

A statement from Buckingham Palace said that Ms Ragland is “overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild.”

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer are “delighted with the news.”

The baby is the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s eighth great-grandchild and Prince Charles’ fourth grandchild.