However, the recent decision to strip Prince Andrew and Fergie of their royal titles has reportedly sent a chill through Montecito, with the Sussexes fearing they could be next.
Meghan Markle ‘preparing legal action’ over threat from William: report
According to royal sources, Markle believes she could be next in line for a royal reckoning due to her public criticism of the monarchy and money-making schemes using her title.
“Meghan’s really anxious that William could one day use his position to strip her of the title,” a source close to the couple told Radar Online.
“She’s been telling friends, ‘No one’s taking my ‘Duchess’ away.’
“To her, it’s so much more than a title – it’s tied to who she is, what she’s built and how the world sees her. Losing it would feel like being written out of the story entirely.”
Markle continues to use the prestigious title to profit off her business ventures, including her As Ever product line which is marketed as “by the Duchess of Sussex”.
The recent decision to strip Andrew’s titles has sent a chill through Montecito. Picture: Google Maps
The former Suits actress has also publicly revealed that the family uses “Sussex” as their surname instead of Mountbatten-Windsor.
According to respected royal insider Tom Sykes, William is already planning a major blitz in which he will strip a series of outer royals of their titles through letters patent.
“Prince William will strip Prince Andrew, along with all other non-working royals, of their HRHs and princely titles when he ascends to the throne, friends and allies of the Prince have (said),” he wrote in the Daily Beast.
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In addition to the Sussex clan, William is reportedly planning to strip his cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of their Princess titles and HRHs.
“The dramatic change will be affected by an executive royal order known as ‘letters patent’ ratified by Parliament in the early weeks of the reign of King William V,” he revealed.
“It will remove princely titles not just from Andrew but also from Beatrice, Eugenie, Harry, Archie, and Lilibet.”
Meghan Markle: 10 Things to Know About the New Royal – The New York Times
For the Sussexes, the threat is not symbolic — it’s existential. Royal watchers note that without the Duchess title, Meghan’s carefully constructed brand identity would be fundamentally weakened overnight. The prestige, the implied authority, and the global recognition that come with “Sussex” are not easily replaced, no matter how strong her personal following may be.
Legal experts, however, warn that the Palace holds the upper hand. Titles are not personal property; they are privileges granted by the Crown, and they can be removed by the same authority. If William proceeds with sweeping letters patent reform, there would be little Harry or Meghan could do to stop it.
Privately, sources say Harry is far less defiant than his wife. While Meghan remains adamant that she will not relinquish the title voluntarily, Harry is reportedly bracing for the possibility that the royal cord could be cut entirely — financially, symbolically, and institutionally.
For now, the Sussexes continue as before, publicly projecting confidence while privately watching the Palace with growing unease. Because if William does move forward with his long-rumored plans, it won’t just redraw the royal hierarchy.
It will permanently redefine who gets to call themselves royal — and who doesn’t.
