King Charles Won’t Strip Harry and Meghan of Their Sussex Titles, but It’s Almost Guaranteed William Will
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Sussex titles are safe. At least for now, under King Charles III’s reign. But the same won’t be true when Prince William is on the throne. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will reportedly be stripped of their titles when Harry’s estranged brother, the Prince of Wales, 42, becomes king.
Harry and Meghan have their Sussex titles despite leaving royal life in 2020
When Harry and Meghan left life as “working royals” in 2020 (see their final engagement above), a condition of their decision to “step back” included giving up royal patronages and titles. They handed back their patronages to Queen Elizabeth II and stopped using HRH (his/her royal highness) styling.
One thing they kept, however, were their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles given to them by Harry’s grandmother ahead of their 2018 royal wedding (via CNN). So, instead of being called His and Her Royal Highness the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they’re simply referred to as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, per the royal family’s website.
In the years since leaving England, Harry and Meghan’s Sussex titles have become the subject of much discussion among royal commentators. Even Harry addressed giving up the titles in a 2023 interview.
King Charles won’t remove the Sussex titles, has given William the go-ahead to do it
Speaking to Radar Online, a courtier claimed King Charles has no plans to strip Harry and Meghan of their Sussex titles. However, the 76-year-old monarch is said to have given his older son and heir, William, the green light to do so when he eventually takes the throne.
As for why the king won’t remove Harry and Meghan’s Sussex titles, the courtier said “cowardly” King Charles is concerned about potential damage in the court of public opinion.
“The king was especially stung by Harry labeling him an emotionally cold father in his scathing memoir, Spare,” the source said. “But the monarch is very concerned about his image and fears backlash from his subjects. That’s why he’d never dare take away Harry’s Sussex title—despite all the hurt he’s caused.”
Meanwhile, the overall attitude among royals is that they’re in favor of the Sussexes losing their titles. “Behind the scenes, people are saying that the royals have quietly sanctioned the title removal—if Harry and Meghan step out of line again,” the insider said.
“The removal would require an Act of Parliament,” they added. “But those in the know say the palace has already called several secret meetings to discuss the possibility and put an actionable plan in place.”
It’s a ‘certainty’ that William will remove Harry and Meghan’s titles when he’s king
William already knows one thing that will be on his agenda when he’s king: strip Harry and Meghan of their Sussex titles. “When King Charles does pass away, it’s a certainty that William will pull the trigger and strip her and Harry of their HRH [his/her royal highness] status,” the source said.
The king might be “cowardly” when it comes to Harry and Meghan’s royal titles, but “William is no pushover. His loyalty lies with the monarchy, not with the sibling or sister-in-law who he believes betrayed the family.”
What hasn’t helped the already precarious situation is Meghan’s name comment on her With Love, Meghan Netflix show, which premiered on March 4, 2025. In one episode, the former Suits star corrected guest Mindy Kaling when she called her by her maiden name, saying she’s “Sussex now.”
The comment “ignited waves of anger” inside the royal family, per the outlet. “The royals are absolutely furious that Meghan continues to flaunt the Sussex title for her and Harry’s own self-gain,” an insider said.
Another claimed Meghan attempted to get a reputational boost with the comment. Whatever her motivation, what she said will reportedly come with repercussions when William takes the throne.
For now, though, Harry and Meghan still have their titles.
