When they both were born (During World War II); their grandpa, King George V, was already dead; The King was already their uncle, King George VI.
We will need Tatiana Maria to sort this one out, but, apparently, grandchildren in male line of any sovereign of the United Kingdom have the dignity of prince, even if that sovereign is already deceased when they are born. Richard and his brother, as a fact, were actually styled from birth as princes.
That is indeed different from the situation in Belgium for example, where, under the 2015 royal decree, a person has to be born as a child or grandchild of a living monarch (or the heir apparent) to be a prince/princess of Belgium.
In any case, you made an interesting point, Biri, as it is actually confusing. Thanks !
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