In a recent turn of events, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle find themselves under the scrutiny of public opinion once again, with calls for the couple to be stripped of their remaining royal titles echoing through the corridors of commentary.
Athough the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020, the Royal Family still restricted them from using their HRH title. However, the couple continues to hold onto their Duke and Duchess titles, a decision that has sparked debates about the implications of such a choice.
As reported by Express, Sarah Vine, in her column for the Daily Mail, vehemently argued that the recent visit of the royal pair to Jamaica should be the tipping point, leading to the stripping of all their titles. According to Vine, their choice of company during this outing sends a “very clear signal to the Palace.”
Vine writes, “By choosing to break cover in such vehemently anti-monarchist company, the Duke and Duchess appear to be sending a very clear signal to the Palace. It appears to me that they intend to use their royal connection to undermine both the individual reputations of members of the Royal Family and that of the institution as a whole. I hope that I am wrong.”
The columnist goes on to express concern that Harry and Meghan’s actions may be contributing to the rise of anti-royalist sentiment not only in the United Kingdom but throughout the Commonwealth and beyond. She contends that their association with figures who challenge the monarchy, such as Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, is a deliberate move to fuel discontent.
Adding fuel to the fire, the couple attended the film premiere for “Bob Marley: One Love,” an event where they shared the spotlight with Prime Minister Holness and his wife. Holness, a long-standing critic of Jamaica’s ties to the monarchy, has publicly announced his administration’s intention to hold a referendum on the monarchy by 2025.
Ms. Vine emphasizes the potential disappointment of the late Queen and the purported response of King Charles. “The late Queen, who loved the Commonwealth and used her position to foster forgiveness and understanding, would be heartbroken. As for King Charles, I can see only one course of action: he should give them what they claim to want and set them free of their royal shackles by stripping them, finally, of all titles.”
It’s worth noting that Harry, in addition to relinquishing his HRH title, has also given up his military titles and no longer appears in public wearing his army uniform.
The debate surrounding the use of royal titles by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continues to intensify, raising questions about the boundaries between personal choices and the responsibilities associated with their historical roles within the monarchy.
As the couple navigates their newfound independence, the Palace faces increasing pressure to address these concerns and decide on the appropriate course of action.
