Is William’s Push for Change a 'Veiled Threat' at Harry & Meghan? Insider Says Titles May be 'Yanked'

Prince William’s recent comments about 'change for good' have reportedly set off alarm bells inside and outside the royal household, as it could mean a plethora of things. It is no secret that he is eyeing a leaner monarchy. There's also speculation that he may strip the Sussexes of their titles when he ascends the throne. But Palace insiders argue that the process is far more complicated, and it can't be overtly dramatic. 

King Charles may have been upset by the comment, but it seems the Sussexes were paying close attention, too. According to a source quoted by the Cosmopolitan, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “see this sort of talk as a very thinly-veiled threat.” The insider claimed that it’s “pretty much accepted within the royal household that once [William] does take the throne, Harry and Meghan will immediately get their titles yanked.” The source added, “He hasn’t said it publicly, but the things he’s said in this interview — this big emphasis on how he will change things — is certainly being seen by a lot of people as him all but coming out and confirming that cutting Harry and Meghan completely loose is part of the plan.”

With whispers that William could be ascending sooner than later, given Charles's health, the speculation has only intensified. The question of titles remains central to this debate. When Harry and Markle stepped down from royal duties in 2020, Queen Elizabeth made it clear they could no longer use their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles for official or commercial purposes. Technically, however, they still retain their formal titles, including that of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, granted on their wedding day. 

However, earlier this year, Markle signed a gift basket note with the line, “With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex,” during an appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show. For William, who has increasingly embraced a traditionalist approach to the monarchy, the move reportedly did not sit well. “There is no way King William will stand for this,” a source told the Daily Beast at the time. “The titles will simply be removed when he is King. A way will be found.”

But could William actually strip Harry and Markle of their titles? Legal experts suggest it’s complicated. Former minister Norman Baker told The Daily Beast that the monarch could remove HRH titles, likening it to an 'executive order' in the U.S. However, revoking a dukedom would require legislative action through an Act of Parliament, making it far more complex. And if one has to go by the books, it is possible, but politically insensitive and unlikely to be done in haste. 

Meanwhile, Charles is reportedly trying to smooth tensions before any transition of power. According to the same source, the sovereign has been 'urging' William to reconcile with Harry and prevent further family rifts. After all, Charles’s reign has already been overshadowed by the feud between his sons, and no one wants William’s ascension to begin with another public family crisis.