Prince Harry reportedly wants his children, Archie and Lilibet, to retain their HRH titles so they can decide as adults whether to become working royals or live outside public life. That is how The Guardian described his preference in a June 2025 report—not a direct public statement from Harry. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex declined to comment on private matters concerning their children.
What did the report say Harry wants?
In a June 4, 2025 report about Archie and Lilibet’s UK passports, The Guardian wrote that it understood Harry wanted to keep the children’s HRH titles so they could later choose whether to become working royals or stay out of public life. The paper did not present this as a direct quotation or public confirmation from Harry. The Guardian’s report is the source of the claim.
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The Sussexes’ spokesperson said: “We do not comment on private issues pertaining to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s children.” Town & Country subsequently summarized the Guardian report and repeated that response; it is follow-up coverage, not independent confirmation of Harry’s private preference. Town & Country’s article appeared June 5, 2025.
Why did the issue arise?
The Guardian’s article centered on delays to the children’s UK passports and the couple’s reported consideration of using the Spencer surname. It said the passports were eventually issued after nearly six months. A source close to the Sussexes reportedly described reluctance to issue them, and the family reportedly feared the HRH titles were a factor. Those are attributed claims; the report did not independently establish that the titles caused the delay.
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The Guardian also reported that Buckingham Palace denied making suggestions or objections about passports being issued with HRH in the titles. The Home Office said it did not comment on individual cases. These responses do not establish why the passports took as long as they did.
Do royal titles mean someone is a working royal?
No. A title or style and the performance of official royal duties are distinct. People may hold royal titles without carrying out duties on behalf of the institution. ABC News Australia’s March 2025 analysis notes that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are titled but are not working royals. It also describes different choices within the family: Princess Anne’s children were raised without royal titles, while the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh chose not to use HRH for their children, who could make their own choices as adults. ABC News Australia’s analysis discusses those examples.
So the reported idea is not that Archie and Lilibet are certain to take on official duties. It is that, in the Guardian’s account, Harry would prefer to leave them an option. A title alone would not amount to a job appointment, and the reporting does not say whether the children would want duties or whether they would be invited or approved to undertake them as adults.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about their future status?
The available reports do not establish what Archie and Lilibet will choose, what their status will be when they are adults, or whether they will ever undertake official duties. A later Guardian article, published in August 2026, described Harry and Meghan as private individuals after they relinquished official working roles and said a half-in, half-out arrangement would not be offered to the couple. That account concerns their parents, not a decision or future role for the children. The Guardian’s later report does not settle Archie and Lilibet’s future.
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