Will Elizabeth's children be royal?

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 October 2, 1948

Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, is expected to give birth to her first child in November. The Chicago Daily Tribune has learned that Elizabeth's father, King George VI, will give the title Prince or Princess of the United Kingdom to Elizabeth's children.

According to the 1917 Letters Patent established by George V, the title prince or princess is limited to the children of the sovereign and the grandchildren of the sovereign in the male line. Princess Elizabeth, as heiress presumptive, cannot pass her rank and style to her children without a new letters patent. If a new letters patent is not issued before the birth, Elizabeth's children will take their titles and rank from their father, the Duke of Edinburgh. A son will be known as the Earl of Merioneth. A daughter will be styled as Lady Christian name Mountbatten.

However, as reported by the Tribune, Elizabeth's children will be royal.

"Great excitement already is brewing" over the forthcoming birth. It is expected that once it is known that Elizabeth is about to give birth, crowds will gather outside Buckingham Palace. It is expected that after the birth is announced, the king and queen will come out on the balcony to acknowledge the crowd.
The new baby will become second in line to the throne. Princess Margaret will edge down to the third spot.