Barony of Kilkeel
Arms of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the present Baron Kilkeel
Creation date19 May 2018 (announced)[1]
16 July 2018 (Letters Patent)[2]
CreationFirst
Created byElizabeth II
PeeragePeerage of the United Kingdom
Present holderPrince Harry
Heir apparentPrince Archie of Sussex
Remainder tothe 1st Baron's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten[2]
StatusExtant

Baron Kilkeel is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 19 May 2018 by Queen Elizabeth II as a subsidiary title for her grandson Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, upon the occasion of his marriage to Meghan Markle.[3] It is named after the small fishing port of Kilkeel, County Down, with a population of 6,887, in the District of Newry, Mourne and Down in Northern Ireland.[3] On the same day, he was also created Duke of Sussex and Earl of Dumbarton.[4] Traditionally, male members of the royal family are granted at least one title on their wedding day by the monarch.[5]

History

Prior to 2018, there had never been a noble title connected to Kilkeel (from Irish Cill Chaoil, meaning 'church of the narrow'[6][7]), which lies within the historic barony of Mourne.[8] In the Middle Ages, it was said to be the centre of power of the Mugdorna (Múrna, Mughdorna, Mourne), an Irish tribe.[9] It is located near the Mourne Mountains and is used as the base for a large fishing fleet.[10][9]

The barony was newly created to allow Prince Harry to hold a Northern Irish title.[11] The title of the barony was discussed between the Queen and Prince Harry privately; however, the Queen was the one who chose the title to bestow.[12]

First creation, 2018

Baron Portrait Birth Marriage(s) Death
Prince Harry
House of Windsor
2018–present
also: Duke of Sussex and Earl of Dumbarton (2018) 		Prince Harry 15 September 1984
St Mary's Hospital, London
son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer 		Meghan Markle
19 May 2018
2 children, Prince Archie of Sussex Princess Lilibet of Sussex 		Living

Line of succession

References

  1. ^ Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle: Announcement of Titles, The Royal Household, 19 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b "No. 62358". The London Gazette. 20 July 2018. p. 12928.
  3. ^ a b "Harry and Meghan appointed Baron and Baroness of Kilkeel". Belfast Telegraph. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  4. ^ Dewan, Angela (19 May 2018). "Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Harry and Meghan's new titles". CNN. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to become Duke and Duchess of Sussex". USA Today. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  6. ^ Placenames Database of Ireland
  7. ^ "Placenames NI". Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Kilkeel". IreAtlas Townlands Database. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Royal wedding 2018: Harry becomes Baron Kilkeel". BBC News. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Baron of Kilkeel is Prince Harry's Northern Irish title". Windsor Observer. Press Association. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Baron of Kilkeel is Prince Harry's Northern Irish title". Belfast Telegraph. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Harry becomes the Duke of Sussex and the Earl of Dumbarton". The Herald. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
Categories