Prince Harry’s Blunt Response When Probed About His and Meghan Markle’s Royal Titles

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping back from their royal roles on January 8, 2020, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have retained their royal titles despite leaving the Royal Family.

It was six years ago that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the bombshell announcement that they were stepping back from their royal duties. The explosive revelation sent shockwaves across the globe as the couple laid out their plans to pack up their lives and relocate to the United States, seeking full financial independence.

Yet despite making this seismic decision back in January 2020, the pair still maintain one significant tie to the Royal Family — their royal titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The titles were bestowed upon them by the late Queen on their wedding day in 2018, and the couple continue to make frequent use of them.

However, many have questioned why the titles have not been stripped from them, particularly given that they no longer carry out any duties on behalf of the monarch King Charles.

Since stepping away from their royal roles, the couple have also made a string of allegations about their royal relatives in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, through their Netflix docuseries in 2022, and in Harry’s contentious memoir Spare. In the wake of these accusations, the Royal Family are said to have held discussions about removing their titles “at the highest level”.

Harry’s Blunt Response to Title Questions

However, during an interview with Anderson Cooper on US television while promoting Spare in early 2023, Harry was put on the spot about why he and Meghan had not relinquished their titles – particularly given how the couple had criticised their treatment while part of the Royal Family. And Harry delivered a blunt six-word response to the question, replying: “And what difference would that make?”

Mr Cooper added: “One of the criticisms that you’ve received is that okay, fine, you wanna move to California, you wanna step back from the institutional role. Why be so public? Why reveal conversations you’ve had with your father or with your brother? You say you tried to do this privately.”

Harry responded: “And every single time I’ve tried to do it privately there have been briefings and leakings and planting of stories against me and my wife. You know, the family motto is ‘never complain, never explain’. But it’s just a motto. And it doesn’t really hold.”

The Ongoing Security Concerns

One thing Harry did lose following Megxit, though, was his automatic entitlement to armed police protection while in the UK. The Duke and his family are reportedly just days away from arriving in Britain, where their security detail has been a major sticking point for Harry in the lead up to their trip.

As has been standard practice for the prince over the years when returning to the UK, Harry had to put in an official request for police protection throughout the duration of the trip – which will see Harry and Meghan mark the one year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham – which is largely funded by the taxpayer.

However, it is believed that this request has been denied for the upcoming trip. Additionally, Harry has been waiting for several months for a review by the Risk Management Board (RMB), part of the process by which the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) rules on his security requirements, but found out last week that this has yet to take place.

The Security Row and Its Implications

The security situation for Harry and his family has been a long-running issue since they stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Harry lost his automatic right to police protection when he moved to North America, a decision he has strongly contested in court. His legal challenges have highlighted the complexities of balancing royal status, public funding, and personal safety.

The current situation has once again brought these issues to the forefront. Harry’s team maintains that an independent risk assessment is necessary to determine appropriate protection levels, but the delay in this process has created uncertainty about the visit. The family’s private security team has conducted its own assessment, but official support remains a key sticking point.

The Planned UK Visit

The planned visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the UK has created significant interest and speculation. The trip will include engagements related to the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The possibility of the couple bringing their children Archie and Lilibet has added emotional weight to the visit.

The King has reportedly offered the use of a royal residence for the visit, which would come with existing security arrangements. However, this offer has not yet been accepted, with Harry’s team emphasising that protection needs to extend beyond just the time spent at official properties. The Palace has remained largely silent on the latest developments, with no official comment on the security situation or the planned visit.

The Complex Family Dynamics

The relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family has been strained for several years. The ongoing security concerns and past public criticisms have created barriers to reconciliation. The potential meeting between Harry and King Charles has been seen as an important opportunity for family healing.

The situation with the planned July trip highlights how these issues continue to affect the Sussexes’ ability to return to the UK. The security row and family dynamics make any visit complicated. The potential for Archie and Lilibet to meet their grandfather has been one of the more positive aspects of the planned trip, making the security complications particularly frustrating.

Public Interest in the Royal Family

The ongoing interest in the royal family ensures that any developments in their relationships will receive significant attention. The public fascination with Harry and Meghan’s life away from royal duties continues to generate discussion. The planned visit has sparked renewed speculation about the couple’s relationship with the royal family.

The contrast between the Sussexes’ independent path and the traditional royal roles creates a compelling narrative that captivates audiences. The security concerns and family reconciliation efforts add layers of complexity to the story. The situation continues to highlight the challenges of maintaining family relationships within the royal context.

Looking Ahead to the Visit

As the July visit approaches, the possibility of the full family trip remains uncertain. The security concerns and past grievances make progress difficult. The coming days are likely to bring further clarity about whether the visit will go ahead as planned or if alternative arrangements will be made.

Harry’s determination to find a safe way for his family to visit Britain demonstrates his desire to maintain connections with his home country. The situation continues to highlight the complex challenges facing the Sussexes as they navigate their life away from royal duties while attempting to maintain family ties.

The story of Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family continues to evolve. The planned visit provides an opportunity for potential reconciliation while highlighting the ongoing challenges they face. The outcome of this trip could have important implications for future family dynamics and the couple’s role in the royal family.