Prince William is reportedly poised to strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their HRH titles once he becomes king, igniting a new phase of royal friction.
At a Glance
- Meghan Markle reposted a message referring to her as “HRH”
- Prince William may revoke the Sussexes’ titles after Charles
- King Charles reportedly favors a more lenient stance
- Critics say the HRH use disrespects Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy
- Title dispute reflects wider royal family tensions
William Poised to Revoke Titles
The ongoing rift within the British royal family may escalate sharply, as insiders claim Prince William intends to formally strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their “His/Her Royal Highness” (HRH) titles once he ascends to the throne. The potential move comes after Meghan reposted an Instagram message from Ukrainian Vice President Yulia Svyrydenko that addressed her as “Your Royal Highness”—a style the couple agreed to no longer use following their 2020 departure from senior royal duties.
Though Meghan did not write the message herself, sharing it publicly has drawn ire from royal commentators and reportedly provoked frustration within the Firm. Under the terms of the “Sandringham Summit” agreement, the Sussexes retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles but committed to not using HRH in any official capacity.
Watch The Daily Mail’s report on the incident at Meghan ‘poking the bear’ amid claims Prince William wants to ‘strip titles’.
Critics and Confidants Sound Off
According to The Daily Beast, Prince William sees Meghan’s repost as a deliberate provocation and is unlikely to ignore similar breaches in the future. “It wouldn’t take much to provoke him to flex his muscles when he is king,” said one friend of the Prince of Wales. Another insider added that William believes Harry has “betrayed the family from top to bottom,” calling it “the ultimate Windsor crime.”
This isn’t the first time Meghan and Harry’s post-royal conduct has triggered backlash. A friend of the King told The Daily Beast the HRH issue was meant to allow the couple “to walk away with pride and dignity and trust,” but Meghan’s use of the style—even indirectly—“makes it worse” each time it resurfaces. The same source criticized the context of the message, which was reposted on a website tied to the couple’s commercial brand.
King Charles’ Delicate Balancing Act
Despite the mounting criticism, King Charles III appears reluctant to escalate the feud. According to a royal source cited by The Daily Beast, “Charles isn’t going to open a new front in the civil war on the basis of one Instagram post.” He is described as taking a “softly-softly attitude” toward Harry and Meghan, opting to avoid direct confrontation.
But that approach may not survive a future transition in leadership. While Charles prioritizes reconciliation, William is expected to adopt a stricter posture, particularly concerning royal protocol and the Sussexes’ use of their titles in public life. “The gloves will be off,” one source warned, if the couple continues to toe the line on official etiquette.
A Defining Rift for the Monarchy
The implications of a title revocation extend beyond royal vanity. As reported by the New York Post, such a move could severely impact the Sussexes’ commercial appeal, particularly in U.S. markets where royal association enhances their brand. For William, enforcing the HRH ban would signal a commitment to upholding royal traditions and a clear boundary between working and non-working royals.
Ultimately, this dispute may represent more than just a family feud—it could become a defining marker of how the monarchy adapts to 21st-century pressures. Whether driven by duty, vengeance, or reform, Prince William’s stance may reshape not just titles, but the very boundaries of royal identity.
