The British Royal Family has faced profound internal and public scrutiny in recent years, leading to significant changes in titles and roles.

A major point of ongoing public debate involves Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, whose status as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their use of royal styles have been subjects of intense discussion since they stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020.

The Status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

In January 2020, it was announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would no longer be “working members” of the British Royal Family.

As part of this transition:

• The couple agreed they would not use their “Royal Highness” (HRH) titles in any official capacity.

• While they retain the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they have moved toward financial independence and stepped away from formal representation of the monarchy.

• Reports have indicated that despite the agreement to stop using the HRH style, the couple has continued to use it in a private capacity, which has contributed to ongoing public and media commentary.

Comparison with Prince Andrew’s Titles

The discussion regarding Harry and Meghan often draws comparisons to the situation of Prince Andrew, whose royal status underwent a more drastic change recently.

• In October 2025, King Charles III initiated a formal process to remove Prince Andrew’s remaining royal styles and honours, including the title of “Prince” and the designation “His Royal Highness”.

• By November 2025, through a formal Letters Patent, it was declared that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—formerly Prince Andrew—was no longer entitled to the title of “Prince” or the style of “Royal Highness”.

• These actions followed years of scandal related to his association with Jeffrey Epstein and were distinct from the voluntary “stepping back” arrangement made by the Sussexes.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q: Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle still considered working royals? A: No.

Since their departure in 2020, they have not been working members of the British Royal Family and do not formally represent the monarchy.

Q: Did the King remove Prince Harry’s titles like he did with Prince Andrew? A: No.

While Prince Andrew was formally stripped of his titles and the status of “Prince” by King Charles III in 2025, Prince Harry retains his titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, though the couple agreed not to use their “Royal Highness” styles.

Q: Is there active legislation to remove the Sussexes’ titles? A: While there is ongoing public debate and media speculation, there has been no formal move by the King or Parliament to strip Prince Harry and Meghan of their remaining titles, unlike the process initiated for Prince Andrew.

Q: Why was Prince Andrew stripped of his titles? A: Prince Andrew’s titles were removed following intense pressure and scrutiny regarding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which led to significant institutional and public fallout.

Conclusion

The debate surrounding royal titles highlights the monarchy’s struggle to balance tradition with the evolving roles of its family members.

While the situations of the Sussexes and the former Prince Andrew are fundamentally different—one involving a voluntary exit and the other a removal due to scandal—the public appetite for clarity on who holds these titles remains strong.

As of mid-2026, the distinction remains clear: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle maintain their dukedom but refrain from royal duties and HRH styles, whereas the former Prince Andrew has been formally stripped of his royal titles and honours.