Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are very unlikely to have their royal titles taken away because there is "no reason", according to former Buckingham Palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter. Speaking on the latest episode of Royal Unscripted, he said there is no specific reason to strip the couple of their titles, unlike the case of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
No reason to strip titles
Arbiter told the host and Daily Express's royal editor Emily Ferguson: "Well, taking titles away, um, is there a reason? No, there isn't a reason. With Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, he was arrested by the Thames Valley Police. It is an ongoing investigation, but aside from that, he was in association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted paedophile, and there is a big question mark over his role as trade envoy. So, that is very much ongoing."
He added that, although Harry's Duke of Sussex title could be removed, Harry will always be known as a prince. Arbiter also noted that Meghan, being Harry's wife, is known as Princess Harry of Wales.
Born a prince, will die a prince
Arbiter said: "As far as taking titles away from Harry and Meghan, well, you can't really take the title of prince away because he hasn't done anything wrong. He's just rubbed the family the wrong way, and that's a private matter. He was born a prince, and he'll die a prince."
He continued: "If you take the dukedom away, then where does that leave Meghan? That makes Meghan, in practice, Princess Harry of Wales."
Andrew, who is also no longer a working member of the Firm, was stripped of his royal titles and honours last year over his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Couple's return to the UK
The couple, who returned to the UK in August, had previously lived in the US for six years after stepping down as working royals in early 2020. Despite their return, they remain non-working members of the Firm, a term they are known to "hate".
Harry and Meghan stepped down from royal duties and moved to America shortly after with their young son, Prince Archie. They are now thought to be living somewhere in the Cotswolds with Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
Despite no longer being working royals, the couple made their first joint appearance since their UK return in Nottingham earlier this month. The visit was deemed a quasi-royal visit, with Meghan and Harry spotted greeting well-wishers. The couple have been criticised for their decision to speak openly, on multiple occasions, about their dislike of their life as working royals, including a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. Harry's most recent interview, released last week, was a chat with GQ in which he openly spoke of his desire for reconciliation with his brother, Prince William.
