Even as tensions between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the rest of the royal family continue to simmer, one thing seems certain—Prince William has no interest in taking their titles away. That’s the word from royal expert Jennie Bond, who says that while public pressure is mounting, William won’t let things get vindictive.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have remained at arm’s length from the monarchy ever since stepping down from royal duties and moving to the United States. Since then, the couple has made headlines with bombshell interviews and claims against members of the royal family, fueling a long-rumored rift between them and the Firm.
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Despite all that, Bond told the Mirror that William, the Prince of Wales, has continued to shield his younger brother and sister-in-law from the brunt of public backlash. “Granted, there seems to be a public appetite for stripping them of their titles, but I think it’s unlikely that William would choose to do this,” she said. “It would seem, and in fact would be, quite vindictive.”
She explained that the process isn’t as simple as just snapping fingers. “There is also the question of whether a monarch can indeed do this,” Bond added. “Some titles could be removed on the will of the Sovereign, but the universal view is that to strip someone of their Peerage demands an act of Parliament.”
Prince Harry was given the titles Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel when he married Meghan in 2018. And while critics might want those titles revoked, Bond believes it’s not a realistic priority for lawmakers. “It would be a brave government to venture into that field when there are, in all honesty, so many more pressing issues,” she said.
She pointed to historical precedent too, noting that “King Edward VIII remained a Duke for the rest of his life, even though he lived in exile.”
Bond suggested that while the personal relationship between William and Harry may never fully heal, that doesn’t mean William will act out of spite. “He will continue to regard Harry simply as irrelevant to his life and to this country,” she said. “And I don’t think he would trouble himself with taking away either of their titles. For Harry and Meghan, it would, of course, be a very public insult.”
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Although Harry and Meghan stepped back from using their HRH titles after leaving their royal roles, their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, remain sixth and seventh in line to the throne. Their spokesperson clarified, “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”
Still, Meghan recently stirred up controversy by using her title in a note sent with a gift basket to a friend. A podcast episode of Confessions of a Female Founder revealed the note read, “With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.” That move raised some eyebrows.
Bond concluded that while Harry and Meghan would likely be “hurt and angry” if their titles were ever officially removed, doing so might also “reduce their standing” with the American public. And that, she believes, is something neither Prince William nor King Charles wants to see happen.
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