Did Andrew’s Downfall Create a ‘Clear Protocol’ for Stripping Harry & Meghan's Titles?
Following the Duke of York’s downfall, experts say the Sussexes may not be immune to the Crown’s new show of resolve.
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s royal banishment might just be an opening act. Days after the disgraced Prince had to surrender his ‘Dukedom’, after which he was stripped of his titles and styles, speculation grew that this was only the beginning. The next in line might be the couple who walked away from the monarchy but have never stopped talking about it, that is, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The question on everyone’s mind is whether the King’s decisive move could set a precedent. After all, the Sussexes too have long been a thorn in the institution’s side, albeit for very different reasons.
The stripping of Mountbatten Windsor's titles was said to have been engineered not by the King, but the king-in-waiting. Prince William, known for his practical and often firm approach, has a plan to tidy up royal ranks when he takes the throne, and that plan reportedly includes the removal of titles from all non-working royals. Page Six quoted a well-placed royal source, suggesting that Harry’s turn could come sooner than many expect. “If they pass these bills (Removal of Titles Bill), I would not be surprised if Harry is the next one to go,” the source said. “I would not be surprised if William does that… he’s not a vindictive person, but he feels very let down, and it’s always more difficult when you are let down by somebody close to you.”
On the same lines, an expert told GB News that William should one day finish what his father started. Royal commentator Lee Cohen said, “I am eagerly awaiting the day we receive the same news about the divisive, self-promoting, narcissists Harry and Markle... They must be quaking in their boots because now there is a clear protocol and precedent to strip them of the only thing that makes them relevant.”
This was confirmed by several other sources. Earlier, The Daily Beast had quoted sources close to William saying practically the same thing, that he intends to use letters patent, a powerful royal decree, to strip princely and HRH titles from those outside the core working fold.
But reportedly, Markle has seen this coming all along and has a way of protecting her royal identity if William, when King, wishes to act on his plan. There was a telling moment in her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, that caught everyone’s attention. Chatting with Mindy Kaling, Markle lightly corrected her guest after she called her ‘Meghan Markle.’ She smiled and said, “You know I’m Sussex now. When you have kids and you go, ‘No, I share my name with my children.’ It just means so much to go, ‘This is our family name, our little family name.’”
In simpler words, if the monarchy eventually shuts the door, Markle has already found a way to keep her name and her narrative, without breaking any protocol.
