By Royal Correspondent | January 4, 2026** In a growing wave of public outrage and expert consensus, calls to strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles have reached fever pitch. With the couple continuing to leverage their royal status for commercial gain while distancing themselves from the monarchy, insiders, commentators, and the British public are united: enough is enough. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should be stripped of their titles – and soon. As 2026 begins, fresh reports reveal that while King Charles hesitates due to fears of backlash, Prince William is reportedly “hellbent” on making it happen when he ascends the throne. “William is done,” one source close to the future king declared. “He sees the ongoing use of these titles as a direct embarrassment to the Crown.” ### Why Now? The Commercial Exploitation That’s Crossed the Line Since stepping back as senior royals in 2020, Harry and Meghan have repeatedly blurred the lines between personal prestige and profit.
Their website, Archewell, and Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever (launched in 2025 with jams, honeys, and holiday promotions), subtly – and not-so-subtly – trade on the “Sussex” name. But the real flashpoint came in late 2025. In a high-profile Harper’s Bazaar cover story (December 2025/January 2026 issue), Meghan was formally announced as “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex” by staff – even in casual, private settings. Royal broadcaster Helena Chard called it “bizarre,” adding that Meghan “attaches enormous importance to her royal status” and uses the title to stay in the limelight and boost her U.S. business ventures. Earlier incidents fueled the fire: A gift basket sent to entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima was signed “HRH Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,” despite the couple’s 2020 agreement not to use HRH publicly or commercially. Critics accused Meghan of “walking a fine line by flaunting her title commercially,” with royal commentator Kinsey Schofield warning it risks violating royal protocols. Even in her Netflix series *With Love, Meghan*, the Duchess corrected actress Mindy Kaling for calling her “Meghan Markle,” insisting, “You know I’m Sussex now.”
Experts say this rebranding – including using “Sussex” as their family surname for children Archie and Lilibet – monetizes a title granted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. “She’s clinging to it because it gives her a sense of importance,” Chard told media outlets. “The title remains useful for Meghan’s business activities, particularly in the United States.”
### Public Opinion: Brits Overwhelmingly Say ‘Strip the Titles’ Polls consistently show the British public has had enough. Historical surveys reveal strong support for removal: – A 2023 Redfield & Wilton poll found the majority believed Harry and Meghan should lose all royal titles and patronages post-*Spare*. – Earlier YouGov polls post-Oprah (2021) and Netflix series (2022) showed favorability plummeting, with nearly half calling for title revocation. – A 2025 Express poll saw 97% of thousands of respondents urge King Charles to strip Harry’s titles amid ongoing controversies. Readers of major outlets like the Daily Mail have flooded comment sections demanding action, calling the couple’s behavior “appalling” and damaging to the monarchy. “They quit duties but keep the perks – it’s hypocritical,” one typical response read.
### The Prince Andrew Precedent: Titles Can – and Should – Be Removed The recent stripping of Prince Andrew’s titles in late 2025 set a powerful precedent. After scandals tied to Jeffrey Epstein, King Charles initiated a formal process to remove Andrew’s “Prince” title, HRH styling, and dukedom, renaming him simply Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Experts note this bypassed full parliamentary action via Royal Warrants, proving the monarchy can act decisively against non-working royals who embarrass the institution. “If Andrew lost his for far graver reasons, why not Harry and Meghan for repeated attacks and commercialization?” asked biographer Andrew Lownie. Sources say William plans a “slimmed-down monarchy” upon ascension, stripping non-working royals – starting with the Sussexes – to prevent “future embarrassments.”
### What Happens If Titles Are Stripped? The ‘Princess Henry’ Nightmare Royal protocol experts like Ingrid Seward explain: Harry, as a prince by blood, would remain “Prince Henry.” Meghan? She’d become “Princess Henry” – a demotion tying her directly to Harry’s formal name (Prince Henry Charles Albert David). “That really would confuse the Americans,” Seward noted, adding it lacks the independent glamour of “Duchess of Sussex.” Insiders say Meghan dreads this, thriving on the title’s prestige for her brand. One source revealed Harry is reportedly “comfortable” without titles, but Meghan “thrives on the royal recognition – it’s everything to her.”
### William’s Resolve: A Future King Ready to Act Reports from 2025 indicate William has discussed revocation with Charles, who fears looking “vindictive.” But William? “There is no way King William will stand for this,” a friend told media. “The titles will simply be removed when he is king. A way will be found.” Historian Andrew Lownie predicts William’s first acts will include stripping titles from non-workers like Harry, Meghan, and potentially others, to protect the monarchy’s reputation.
### The Final Verdict: Time’s Up for the Sussex Titles As Harry and Meghan continue quasi-royal tours (like Nigeria in 2024) and commercial ventures branded with “Sussex,” the case for stripping titles grows undeniable. They stepped away from duties but not the privileges – profiting while criticizing the institution that bestowed them.
The public has spoken. Experts agree. And the future king is waiting in the wings. It’s not petty – it’s preservation. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should be stripped of their titles. The monarchy – and the British people – deserve no less. *Sources include royal experts Ingrid Seward, Helena Chard, Kinsey Schofield, Andrew Lownie, and reports from The Daily Beast, RadarOnline, Fox News, and Harper’s Bazaar.*
