Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to The Firm in 2020 had some consequences. The couple is no longer allowed to perform their royal duties or make appearances on behalf of Queen Elizabeth. They were also required to drop their HRH titles but got to keep their Duke and Duchess of Sussex monikers.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Should Consider Dropping Their Duke And Duchess Titles
While speaking with Express, royal historian Marlene Koenig encouraged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to drop their Duke and Duchess of Sussex title as well. After all, the couple – especially Markle – has been receiving backlash for using their titles even though they no longer work as senior royals.
For instance, Markle’s name is listed as Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, on the cover of The Bench.
Koenig said that it might be better for Prince Harry and Markle to follow in the footsteps of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The daughters of Prince Andrew just use York as their surname.
“If you look at other members of the family or peers or heir to peerages; Beatrice and Eugenie do not use their titles in their jobs – on their work websites, it's Beatrice York, Eugenie York. Uncle Charles, Earl Spencer, he's written several books, but doesn't use his title on his books: he uses Charles Spencer. The Earl of Harewood, whose father was the Queen's first cousin, was a producer, he used Lascelles, the family name, as his title. So, I think they should step away from using their titles, they should just use Meghan Sussex, Harry Sussex; there is so much precedent for that, especially in the US,” she said.
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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Would Receive Fewer Criticisms If They Stop Using Their Titles
Koenig added that tensions surrounding Prince Harry and Markle would be lessened if they stopped using their titles altogether.
“There's nothing stopping you from having your title as a royal if you're abroad but you usually don't use your titles, but from a professional aspect and the precedence of so many peers and other members of the Royal Family who don't use their titles. I'm not denigrating them at all, I just think it would lessen the tension if they didn't use the titles, to say, 'Hey, we're just gonna use, in the credits, Meghan Sussex, Harry Sussex', there's nothing wrong with that,” she said.
But according to Grazia Daily, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will forever be used by Prince Harry and Markle.
“To paraphrase the Chronicles of Narnia: once a Duke or a Duchess, always a Duke or a Duchess,” they said.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s Royal Titles Won’t Affect Their Children’s Future Monikers
While speaking with People, royal historian Robert Lacey said that the issue surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal titles wouldn’t necessarily affect their children, Archie and Lilibet. After all, there are whispers that Prince Charles could strip the youngsters of their titles when he ascends the throne, but Lacey said that this wouldn’t be the case.
“I don't think he will make the unpopular and hostile move of removing the royal status of his grandchildren,” he said.
Royal insider Joe Little also said that Archie and Lilibet’s titles might even be upgraded to His or Her Royal Highnesses. But this would depend on whether Prince Harry and Markle would approve.
“As the grandchildren of the Sovereign, they have the right to be upgraded to the style of His or Her Royal Highness. But that begs a question of whether Harry and Meghan want that. Do they prefer what Prince Edward and Sophie have, and not have their children as Their Royal Highnesses with a view to them leading relatively normal lives?” he said.
However, Markle previously told Oprah Winfrey that the decision regarding her children’s royal titles does not depend on her and her husband.
“It's not our decision to make. Even though I have a lot of clarity of what comes with the titles good and bad, that is their birthright to then make a choice about,” she said.
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