Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again under scrutiny for their apparent detachment from the British crown, whose titles they continue to hold. As Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the couple has faced renewed calls to relinquish their royal designations amid growing criticism over their lack of connection with the region.
Former Sussex MP Tim Loughton has spoken out against the couple’s continued use of the titles, despite their rare visits and ongoing estrangement from royal duties in the United Kingdom. In a statement to MailOnline, Loughton expressed his frustration over what he sees as ongoing disregard for the county.
“Yet again, the interest of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the county from which they continue to use their title has been underwhelming to say the least,” he said. “It is time we had a Duke of Sussex who has a genuine interest in our County, and wishing Sussex residents a happy Sussex Day is hardly a tall order.”
Loughton added, “They rarely visited Sussex even before they abandoned the UK for California, and on our County Day today, they have again shown no interest in Sussex.” The criticism comes amid Sussex Day celebrations, an annual event that honors the history and culture of the southern English county.
Neither Harry nor Meghan marked the day publicly or acknowledged it via their media channels—an absence that has intensified calls for them to be stripped of their royal titles. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially stepped back from royal duties in 2020, relocating to California with their son, Prince Archie.
Since then, the couple has become increasingly vocal about their experiences within the royal institution, most notably accusing the Royal Family of racism and emotional neglect in a widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Now settled in the United States, the couple welcomed their second child, Princess Lilibet, and continues to focus on charitable and media ventures through their Archewell Foundation. However, their continued use of royal titles—particularly those tied to British regions—remains a point of contention, especially among residents of Sussex who feel unrepresented by the pair.
While no formal action has been taken to revoke the titles, calls from officials and public figures have grown louder over the years. As the gap between Harry and Meghan and their royal roots continues to widen, so too does the criticism, with some now calling for their titles to reflect their reality, rather than a connection they no longer seem to honor.