Reports in 2023 and 2024 said that removing royal titles held by Prince Harry and Meghan had been discussed—but neither report established that King Charles had approved or announced their removal. The accounts came from royal authors and media reporting, not a public confirmation by the King. The key distinction is that the couple stopped using their HRH styles in 2020 while retaining their Duke and Duchess titles.
What was reported about removing the Sussexes’ titles?
In April 2023, LBC reported that Robert Jobson’s book Our King: Charles III said the possibility of taking away Harry’s Duke of Sussex title had been discussed. LBC also reported that Charles was not in favour of removing it. That is an account attributed to Jobson’s book, not a public statement from the King confirming a decision.
In May 2024, the Hindustan Times reported a further claim by royal author Tom Quinn, who said Charles and Prince William had held lengthy discussions about removing Harry and Meghan’s titles and feared the move could backfire. The report attributed Quinn’s account to an interview with The Mirror.
These accounts describe alleged private discussions. They do not establish that the King made a decision, that a formal process began, or that the couple’s Duke and Duchess titles were removed.
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What changed in 2020—and what did not?
On 18 January 2020, Buckingham Palace announced that Harry and Meghan would step back from royal duties, including official military appointments, and would not receive public funds for royal duties. The Palace said they would not use their HRH titles because they were no longer working members of the Royal Family. The Palace statement did not announce that their Duke and Duchess titles had been taken away.
The distinction is between an HRH style and a peerage title. The Commons Library’s September 2023 briefing described Harry and Meghan as retaining their Duke and Duchess titles while no longer using HRH. It also covered proposals concerning title-removal procedures; its account of those proposals is dated to 2023, not a current legal opinion.
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| Category | What the cited record says |
|---|---|
| HRH style | In 2020, the Palace said the Sussexes would not use their HRH styles because they were no longer working members of the Royal Family. |
| Duke and Duchess titles | The Commons Library said in 2023 that they retained these titles. The reports of discussions in 2023 and 2024 did not announce their removal. |
What was the latest status clarification?
In September 2026, ABC reported on a letter sent on the King’s behalf to government and military officials. According to ABC, the letter reiterated that Harry and Meghan remained non-working members and should not be addressed as His or Her Royal Highness. It also described their charitable work as private and said their position was “akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.” The report did not say that their Duke and Duchess titles had been removed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Prince Andrew’s case is separate
On 31 October 2025, Buckingham Palace said a formal process had been initiated to remove Prince Andrew’s style, titles and honours. That is a separate action involving a different person. It does not show that action was taken against Harry or Meghan, or establish that the same process applies to them.
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