Could William do it?
Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal exit, there has been speculation over whether Prince William will have their royal titles stripped from them.
In recent years, people have also speculated whether their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, will have their titles taken away.
In 2022, when their grandfather King Charles became monarch, Archie and Lilibet were entitled to HRH titles and prince and princess titles.
Now, a royal expert has revealed whether Prince William would actually do so when he finally ascends to the throne.
Would Prince William strip Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of their HRH title?
Speaking exclusively to Royal Insider, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has revealed whether William could, and would, strip Lilibet and Archie of their titles.
“In theory, unlike a peerage, which would need an Act of Parliament to remove it, the monarch can remove an HRH. Archie and Lili were due it as children of the sons of the monarch under the 1917 Letters Patent of George V,” he explained to us.
He is a consummate diplomat and expect him to handle this matter without causing offence and leave well alone.
“However, the Sussexes are reportedly including it in their passports and want them to have the option of being working royals. This seems to me highly unlikely. I never bought into the phrase ‘slimline monarchy’, although it is common among continental monarchies. The removal by Queen Margrethe of Denmark without warning of her younger son’s children’s titles led to a furious public row,” he continued.
Would Prince William take away a royal title? (Credit: CoverImages.com)
‘There would be outrage’
Richard went on.
“In the hypothetical situation where the monarch removed Archie and Lili’s titles, there would be outrage, especially since they were not responsible for the royal rift,” he said.
“William will be well aware of these dangers. He is a consummate diplomat and expect him to handle this matter without causing offence and leave well alone.”
Would they lose the titles? (Credit: CoverImages.com)
Reason why William won’t take away Harry and Meghan’s titles
It’s been speculated for a long time whether William would take away Harry and Meghan’s titles when he becomes king. However, royal experts don’t believe the Prince of Wales would.
Speaking to Page Six last month, royal expert Hugo Vickers said: “He won’t strip Harry and Meghan of their titles. It appears vindictive.”
A royal source echoed the sentiment, adding that Harry and Meghan’s titles are “irrelevant and meaningless at this point”.
They went on to say: “No one thinks [Harry and Meghan] are royal anyway. William won’t strip them of their titles because they are irrelevant and meaningless at this point.”
Meghan would ‘divorce’ Harry if they lost their titles
It’s good news for Harry that William won’t strip him and his wife of their titles, as Meghan’s estranged half-brother predicted a divorce could be on the cards if he did!
Speaking on TalkTV in May, Meghan’s estranged brother, Thomas Markle Jr, had a dire prediction for the Sussexes.
When asked if he thought Meghan would “cut” Harry out of her life when she “feels like she doesn’t need him anymore”, Thomas said: “My opinion on that is that I think it’s straightforward, and I think it’s gonna happen.
“I think because of the threat of William taking the titles away. And rightfully so, he should. If somebody attacked my wife like that while she was ill, that’s something you can never forgive.”
“Somebody talks so much trash about you, burns every single bridge, and then begs for forgiveness because their popularity sucks and they’re in the gutter. Then you try and go crawling back and make this big story up. It’s such garbage. But I think once the titles get stripped, I think Harry’s done,” he added.