Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle be stripped of their royal titles?

11 April 2023, 12:12 | Updated: 11 April 2023, 12:16

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal titles have been discussed since they left the family in 2020. Picture: Alamy

By Zoe Adams

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex famously quit the royal family in 2020 and lost their HRH tags - but can they lose their royal titles too? And what about children Archie and Lilibet?

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been the centre of many royal scandals ever since they made history and quit the historic family in January 2020.

From losing their right to use 'His/Her Royal Highness', to their Netflix documentary, Harry and Meghan, and even Harry's autobiography Spare, tensions have been strained between family members with many now even calling for them to lose their Duke and Duchess title.

So can Harry and Meghan really lose their royal titles and become Mr and Mrs Mountbatten-Windsor? And what about their children Archie and Lilibet?

Read more: Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend King Charles's Coronation?

Read more: Queen wanted William and Harry to fight in Afghanistan: 'They took my shilling, now they should do their duty'

Here's the latest news and reports surrounding the Sussexes royal titles including whether they can legally lose them.

King Charles stepping into a car
King Charles is said to not be in favour of removing their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles. Picture: Alamy

Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle be stripped of their royal titles?

According to latest reports, the discussion of stripping Harry and Meghan of their royal titles has reached its highest level.

It has been continuously suggested they lose their titles ever since they quit the royal family, however, a new book, according to the Mirror, has suggested the conversation has now reached some important people.

King Charles is said to not be in favour of the move as a snippet read: "The idea of stripping Harry of his Duke of Sussex title has been discussed at the highest level.

“The King is said not to be in favour, but other senior Royals are less indulgent. Ultimately, despite Charles's enduring love for his son, he will come under increasing pressure if Harry continues to attack the monarchy.”

Can Harry and Meghan legally lose their Duke and Duchess titles?

Legally, the monarch has no powers to remove a family member's royal titles - it would require an act of parliament to actually happen.

It's also a very rare act as it last happened in 1917 when King George V passed the Titles Deprivation Act so he could remove British titles of several German and Austrian royals during the First World War.

However, Labour MP Rachael Maskell has begun a parliamentary bill which would give the monarch, or a committee of parliament, the power to remove titles.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the UK
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lost their right to use 'HRH' following Megxit. Picture: Alamy

Do Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children have royal titles?

Another area of controversy was the royal titles of their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

Due to their place in line to the throne, and Harry and Meghan's decision to leave the UK, their children were not given royal titles.

However, in March 2023, Lilibet and her older brother were officially listed as princess and prince on the royal family website.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Confidence in the general economy over the coming year rose five points, driving the improvement.

Consumer confidence up in June amid ‘dark shadow’ of inflation and war in Middle East

The Brits' family came together to pay tribute

Family of Scottish man found dead in Portugal's 'faith in humanity restored' as balloons released at emotional vigil

Artist's impression of the new national biosecurity centre at Weybridge, Surrey

New centre to tackle 'risk of future pandemics' gets billion-pound investment

Screenings for cervical cancer save at least 2,000 lives each year in the UK

NHS to offer at-home cervical cancer screening test kits that 'could save 5,000 lives per year'

Zelensky visits 10 Downing Street for talks with Keir Starmer on Monday

Zelensky warns Putin could launch an attack on NATO 'within five years'

Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt arriving at the F1 The Movie premiere in Leicester Square.

'Interview with the Vampire' co-stars Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise make 'surprise' public reunion after 24 years

The first Brits are arriving in the UK after being evacuated from Israel.

First Brits rescued from Israel touch down at Heathrow Airport as more to arrive in coming days

The president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) said professionals are in distress

Stretched mental health services leaving psychiatrists ‘in emotional and ethical distress’

Jobs will be created at warehouses in locations including Hull and Northampton

Amazon’s new UK warehouses to hire thousands as Starmer hails ‘win’ for Britain

Iran has launched an attack on a US military base.

Trump announces ceasefire is 'now in effect' between Israel and Iran urging sides 'please do not violate it'

A Qatar Airways flight from Manchester was forced to divert earlier this evening

UK flight bound for Doha forced to turn back after Iran launches missiles at US air base in Qatar

Sir Keir Starmer will fly to the Hague today for crunch meetings against a backdrop of global volatility in the Middle East and Ukraine.

UK and NATO allies to include 'money spent on tackling small boats' to boost defence spending in bid to appease Trump

The

Thousands raised after family die in motorway crash - daughter, 8, is only survivor

Kate Shemirani, conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer and former nurse

Daughter of notorious conspiracy theorist died of cancer after 'falling for mother's theories', her brothers say

Emma Raducanu during a practice session during Eastbourne Open, where she is currently competing

Raducanu says Wimbledon 'did amazing job' after stalker tried to buy match tickets

Large fire engulfs the abandoned Hotspur Press mill building near Oxford Road in Central Manchester. Credit Milo Chandler/Alamy Live News

Major fire in Manchester city centre causes serious disruption