Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are at risk of losing their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, according to a U.K. lawmaker.
Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Bob Seely suggested that Britain might need to take extreme measures, referring to it as the “nuclear option,” in response to the Sussexes’ “trashing an institution that plays an important part in our nation’s life.”
He intends to propose a change that would use a law from World War I, which previously removed British titles from German nobility, to revoke the titles of Harry and Meghan.
This follows revelations in the Dutch edition of the new book “Endgame” by Omid Scobie, which identifies King Charles III as the royal whom Meghan Markle alleged made remarks about Prince Archie’s skin color.
The Dutch version of the book was withdrawn from sale due to what the publisher termed an “error.”
Bills proposed by MPs like Seely often don’t succeed without government support, and there’s no indication that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supports this bill.
Amidst challenging opinion polls, the U.K. government’s actions have become less predictable, as seen in Prime Minister Sunak’s recent dispute with Greece over the Elgin Marbles.
Seely wrote in The Mail on Sunday: “In the next couple of weeks, I shall present a Bill in Parliament to strip the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of their Royal titles.”
“I’m not a republican and support the monarchy, but after the latest installment of the couple’s feud with the rest of the Royal Family, I believe that Parliament and the Privy Council should consider a nuclear option. The Duke and Duchess can be Mr. and Mrs. like the rest of us.”
“My Titles Deprivation 1917 Act Amendment Bill would allow a vote in Parliament to advise the ancient advisory Privy Council to strip a member of the Royal Family of their titles.”
“My aim is simple: if someone doesn’t want to be Royal, that is a decision we respect—but they should not keep the titles and privileges if they trash an institution that plays an important part in our nation’s life.”
Omid Scobie claims Meghan Markle was not interviewed for ‘Endgame’ and names were revealed through Charles and Meghan’s correspondence post-Oprah interview. Scobie emphasizes the lack of privacy within the royal family, with many eyes on all events.
Meghan disclosed to Oprah that discussions about their son not receiving security or a title were coupled with concerns about the possible darkness of his skin at birth.
The book ‘Endgame’ indicated that a letter from the king aimed to clarify the absence of malice in the remarks, and Harry stated in January 2023 that their issue was with unconscious bias, not direct accusations of racism against the royals.
In February 2021, Queen Elizabeth II removed Harry and Meghan’s honorary royal titles and patronages, though they continue to hold their duke and duchess titles, which are not dependent on their active royal status.
This issue has been contentious for some time, with calls to revoke their titles dating back to 2020, particularly after their vocal comments on the U.S. presidential election in that year.
