Barony of Kilkeel | |
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![]() Arms of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the present Baron Kilkeel | |
Creation date | 19 May 2018 (announced) [1] 16 July 2018 (Letters Patent) [2] |
Creation | First |
Created by | Elizabeth II |
Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
Present holder | Prince Harry |
Heir apparent | Prince Archie of Sussex |
Remainder to | the 1st Baron's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten [2] |
Status | Extant |
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]
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]
Baron | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death |
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Prince Harry House of Windsor 2018–present also: Duke of Sussex and Earl of Dumbarton (2018) | ![]() | 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 and Princess Lilibet of Sussex | Living |