Prince William is poised to strip Harry and Meghan of their HRH titles when he ascends to the throne, ending years of tension over their royal status following their departure from official duties.
At a Glance
- Meghan Markle recently shared a message on Instagram where she was addressed as “Your Royal Highness,” despite agreeing not to use the title since 2020
- The move has sparked outrage and is considered disrespectful to Queen Elizabeth II’s memory
- King Charles currently maintains a “softly-softly” approach toward Harry and Meghan
Prince William reportedly wants to formally strip the couple of their HRH titles when he becomes king - Royal experts suggest the removal of titles could significantly impact Harry and Meghan’s commercial opportunities
Royal Protocol Breach Reignites Title Controversy
Tensions within the British royal family have escalated after Meghan Markle published a letter from Ukraine’s vice president on Instagram that addressed her as “Your Royal Highness.” This move comes despite the agreement made in 2020 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties and agreed not to use their HRH titles. The social media post followed Prince Harry’s visit to Ukraine and has been interpreted by royal commentators as testing boundaries established during their exit from working royal life.
Kinsey Schofield, host of the ‘To Di For’ podcast, condemned the action during an appearance on Sky News Australia, suggesting it demonstrates disregard for established protocols and the memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The situation highlights a critical distinction: while Harry and Meghan agreed not to use their HRH designations, they never formally surrendered them. This technicality has created an ongoing gray area regarding their royal status that has frustrated palace officials and reportedly angered Prince William, who is said to view their actions as undermining royal traditions.
Different Royal Approaches: Charles vs. William
King Charles III has maintained what sources describe as a more lenient approach toward Harry and Meghan since becoming monarch. While expressing disappointment over their departure and subsequent actions, including revealing family disputes in interviews, memoirs, and documentaries, Charles has avoided taking drastic measures against his son and daughter-in-law. Palace insiders suggest this reflects both his personal desire to maintain family ties and a strategic decision to prevent further escalation of tensions.
Prince William, however, is reported to hold stronger views on maintaining the monarchy’s dignity and protocols. Sources close to the Prince of Wales indicate he feels deeply betrayed by his brother’s actions since leaving royal duties and relocating to California in 2020. While William currently respects his father’s authority and approach as monarch, multiple royal insiders suggest he intends to take firmer action when he eventually ascends to the throne.
Commercial Implications of Royal Titles
The potential removal of HRH titles carries significant implications beyond mere symbolism. Royal commentators note that these designations confer prestige that translates into commercial value for Harry and Meghan’s various business ventures, including their production deals with Netflix and Spotify, speaking engagements, and Meghan’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. The question of their royal status has remained central to their marketability since leaving official duties.
“I have it on good authority that Prince William wants to strip them of their titles, and the Sussexes would like reassurance that he won’t do that, knowing how much it would hurt their commercial opportunities.”, said Kinsey Schofield.
Despite calls in the UK for Parliament to strip Harry and Meghan of their titles, no successful legislative measures have been enacted. This suggests that any future changes would most likely come through royal decree rather than parliamentary action. Both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have declined to comment on the controversy, maintaining their typical approach of avoiding public engagement with Sussex-related controversies.
A Royal Reckoning Ahead
The ongoing tensions reflect deeper divisions within the royal family that have persisted since Harry and Meghan’s departure. Friends of Prince William have been particularly forthcoming about his perspective, with one telling The Daily Beast that William believes his brother “has betrayed the family from top to bottom, which is the ultimate Windsor crime.” This sentiment appears to be driving William’s reported determination to formally sever the Sussexes’ remaining royal connections when he has the authority to do so.
For now, the status quo remains, with Harry and Meghan retaining their titles while agreeing not to use them actively. However, incidents like Meghan’s recent Instagram post highlight the tenuous nature of this arrangement and suggest that a more definitive resolution may eventually be necessary. Royal observers anticipate that when William eventually becomes king, the long-simmering issue of the Sussexes’ royal status will finally reach its conclusion.
