Meghan Is Allegedly Seeking Legal Advice Over Concerns She Might Have To Give Up Royal Title

For all her distance from royal life, Meghan Markle’s connection to her title continues to follow her and, according to one royal commentator, she has no intention of letting it go. As speculation grows over Prince William’s reported plans to strip non-working royals of their titles, and after a recent Harper’s Bazaar moment once again reignited the debate, fresh claims suggest Meghan sees her Duchess title not as tradition, but as power, and a powerful bargaining chip at that.

Royal author and expert Tom Bower has weighed in on the debate, arguing that Markle’s use of her royal title is both deliberate and strategic. Speaking to The Mirror, Bower warned that Prince Harry and Markle could find themselves vulnerable once William ascends the throne. Yet despite that uncertainty, he believes Markle continues to lean heavily on the very status she once stepped away from. “It’s a great trading asset, and she uses it ruthlessly and with impunity,” he said.

Bower also suggested that sentiment plays little role in Markle’s attachment to her title. “It’s nothing to do with the royal family, she couldn’t care two hoots about that, she just uses it to give herself the status she craves,” he said. In his view, the Duchess title functions primarily as a brand enhancer—something that opens doors, shapes public perception, and carries significant commercial weight, particularly in the United States.

Fueling that anxiety are reports that Meghan is no longer leaving her future to chance. According to Woman’s Day, she has allegedly begun reaching out to legal experts amid growing speculation that Prince William could move to formally strip the Sussexes of their titles once he becomes King. The outlet claimed Meghan has been “consulting with various legal experts” in preparation for that possibility.

Royal insiders told the publication, “Meghan’s not taking any chances and she’s willing to fight to keep her title. She’s consulting with various legal experts on what strategies she can use to keep her duchess name – and she may actually have a case.” 

The idea that royal titles could actually be stripped once seemed unthinkable. That changed dramatically after the former Prince Andrew was effectively reduced to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following intense public backlash. According to Bower, that moment marked a turning point for Markle as well. “I don’t think Meghan realized until Harry told her that his uncle had lost his title, that that is a reality,” he said. From that point on, Bower believes the stakes became too real. “I don’t think she, or any of us, realized they could be so ruthless. I can only imagine she’s now sitting there thinking, ‘What are we going to do?’ Because without the titles, who is she? But she is betraying the royal family every time she uses the title,” he added.

When Harry and Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020, they agreed not to use their HRH styles and not to exploit their royal titles for commercial gain. Buckingham Palace made it clear at the time that while they would retain their Duke and Duchess titles, those honors were not to be leveraged for business or branding purposes. The stage is now set for a major showdown. With William's accession looming, one thing is clear: Meghan is preparing to fight in court, viewing her title as a prized asset she will not give up without a high-stakes, public battle.