The Royal Family is reportedly prepared to strip Prince Harry and Meghan of their Sussex titles if they continue to share damaging details about the monarchy, according to an insider. Prince Harry and former Suits actress Meghan Markle tied the knot in 2018 after dating for two years.
In January 2020, the couple stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family and relocated to Southern California, though they retained their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Since their departure, the couple has made several public claims about their experiences within the Royal Family, alleging mistreatment by both family members and palace staff.
During a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan opened up about her struggles following her marriage to Harry, revealing that she felt so overwhelmed at one point that she “didn’t want to be alive anymore.” She also claimed that her pleas for help were ignored.
Additionally, Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, delved into the dynamics between himself, his brother Prince William, and their respective wives. The book included details about a heated argument prior to his and Meghan’s wedding, which reportedly left his then-fiancée “sobbing on the floor.”
While removing their titles would require an Act of Parliament, a source told the Daily Mail that the Royal Family is prepared to allow the removal if they deem it necessary.
In a conversation with actress Mindy Kaling, Meghan, 43, humorously remarked, “It’s so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle. You know I’m ‘Sussex’ now,” before explaining the significance of the title.
“I didn’t know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to go, ‘This is our family name. Our little family name,’” she shared.
Meghan had previously told People that the title grew in importance after she became a mother, stating, “It’s our shared name as a family, and I guess I hadn’t recognized how meaningful that would be to me until we had children.”
However, some have pointed out that “Sussex” is not technically Meghan’s last name. One commenter noted, “Her name is NOT Meghan Sussex. Her name is technically Rachel Mountbatten-Windsor. Sussex is a county in England and part of a courtesy title—NOT her last name.”
The Duchess of Sussex was born Rachel Meghan Markle. Another individual added, “Meghan Markle married Henry Mountbatten-Windsor, not Harry Sussex! She’s a delusional woman.”
This ongoing debate highlights the complexities surrounding the couple’s relationship with the Royal Family and the public’s perception of their titles and identities.