There has been a lot of speculation suggesting that Prince William could strip Harry and Meghan of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles when he ascends the throne as king.
However, according to royal expert Jennie Bond, that scenario is almost impossible—and the reasons go beyond just personal relationships.
William Would Not Use Titles as “Revenge”
The issue of Prince Harry and Meghan’s titles has once again sparked debate across the UK. Many believe that Prince William, the heir to the throne, may remove his brother and sister-in-law’s Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles once he becomes king. Yet, royal expert Jennie Bond argues it’s highly unlikely, even though the relationship between the brothers remains visibly fractured.
Speaking to The Mirror, Bond stated:
“However much the public might want their titles removed, I don’t think William would ever do it. It would look petty and retaliatory.”
The Law Blocks Any One-Sided Decision
Bond further explained that a peerage title cannot be removed unilaterally, and would require an act of Parliament. This would involve government action, something considered highly unrealistic at a time when far more urgent political priorities exist.
When Harry married in 2018, he was granted the titles: Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel. Bond compared this to the case of King Edward VIII, who abdicated but still retained his title as Duke of Windsor until his death, despite living the rest of his life in exile.
“Even if William and Harry never reconcile, I think William would take the position that it simply doesn’t matter to him. To William, Harry may already be irrelevant to his life or to the future of the country.”
The Sussex Children and the HRH Debate
After King Charles III ascended the throne in September 2022, Harry and Meghan’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, had their titles officially updated on the royal family website. The Sussexes confirmed this aligned with existing succession protocol.
Still, public reactions remained divided, particularly given Harry and Meghan stepped down from senior royal duties in 2020 and relocated to the United States.
More recently, Meghan stirred another debate by sending a gift basket accompanied by a handwritten card signed:
“With best wishes from HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
A close source to the Sussexes clarified that the use of HRH in private and personal contexts is permitted. They are only restricted from using it in public duties or for commercial and business purposes, based on the 2020 exit agreement.
If William Did Attempt Removal, It Would Hurt Deeply
Jennie Bond believes that if Prince William ever did attempt to remove all of Harry and Meghan’s titles, the emotional fallout would be significant:
“If that happened, I believe Harry and Meghan would feel deeply humiliated. To them, it could be interpreted as a public disgrace that would wound their sense of pride and self-worth.”
For now, the Sussex titles remain intact. How the couple chooses to use them, however, continues to be closely monitored—and intensely debated—by both the media and the public.
