According to the seiki (written rules) of Kozoku (Imperial family) shinsei (bestowing a surname) determining the range of Imperial families which was established in 1867, he was supposed to be demoted from nobility to subject so that the Imperial title would be limited only to one generation of Imperial Prince Hirotsune, but with Emperor Meiji's special consideration, he remained Imperial family, and furthermore was given the title of Imperial Prince as an adopted child of Emperor Meiji.
明治元年制定の皇族の範囲を定めた皇族賜姓の成規によれば本来、華頂宮は皇族としては博経親王一代限りで臣籍降下するはずであったが、明治天皇の特旨をもって皇族の身分に留まる事となり、更に明治天皇の猶子として親王宣下を受けた。