Meghan Markle and Harry: Experts discuss ‘contradiction’
Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles when they dramatically stepped down as senior royals last March. The couple quickly made a comfortable life for themselves in the US by signing multi-million pound deals to make documentaries and podcasts with Netflix and Spotify respectively. Meghan also recently asked her celebrity friend Oprah to endorse a new investment she has with Clevr Blends, a “woman-led, mission-driven” company behind “wellness lattes”.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, commentator Darren Grimes criticised Meghan and Harry over their new commercial ventures as he claimed the pair were at risk of “exposing the magic of monarchy” by heading down a reality television route.
He called for the pair to have their titles stripped when their 12-month review with the Queen arrives in March.
Mr Grimes said: “No objective Royal commentator can possibly argue that Harry and Meghan have given up their duties at rainy charity galas and events here in Blighty to pursue a more ‘private life’, moving from the service to their Queen and Country, to instead pander to ‘wokery’ in Hollywood as they weren’t the main event and knew they never would be.
“With a new fly-on-the-wall Netflix reality telly series and a Spotify podcast series, Harry and Meghan risk turning the Windsors into the Kardashians.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will have a 12-month royal review with the Queen in March (Image: GETTY)
“The potential risk for political activists and movements to be offered a platform by the son of the heir to the throne via this Archewell Audio initiative, similar to a channel created by the Obamas, risks exposing the magic of monarchy that sits above politics to protect the integrity of it.
“Sitting above the political fray explains the Royal Family’s popular support across all four constituent parts of our United Kingdom – they are the unifying force of it.
“The pair ought to be stripped of their Royal titles before irreparable harm can be inflicted by them, let them enjoy their deals, platforms, exposure and trinkets in California, but the institution of the British monarchy is much too important to be harmed by reality telly, Spotify and fake honours.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex still remain members of the Royal Family and have retained their HRH styles, although they do not use them.
READ MORE: Meghan and Harry’s support for ‘New Age quackery’ doctor amid pandemic
Prince Harry was said to be devastated over losing his military titles (Image: GETTY)
They have also opted to introduce themselves simply by their first names on several occasions over the past year, in what could be a telling sign that they may not be keeping their titles.
In their Spotify podcast debut last month, they introduced themselves simply as “Harry” and “Meghan”.
Before he stepped down as a senior royal, Harry held the titles: Captain-General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of the Royal Air Force Base Honington, and Honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Naval Commands’ Small Ships and Diving.
But his “lifelong commitment” to the military was ultimately over when he chose to move to the US.
DON’T MISS
Meghan and Harry steal Kate’s spotlight again with new announcement [REVEALED]
Meghan Markle court request could block father Thomas being witness [INSIGHT]
Megan and Harry’s trolls are vile…but if you get in the ring COMMENT [OPINION]
Meghan and Harry quickly made a comfortable life for themselves in the US (Image: GETTY)
Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote in Finding Freedom: “Harry’s lifelong commitment to the military was why the Mountbatten Festival of Music three days later was a particularly difficult moment; he was set to wear his Captain-General of the Royal Marines uniform for the very last time.
“During a conversation backstage, on arrival, Harry told Major General Matthew Holmes; ‘I’m devastated that I am having to step down.’
“‘It was so unnecessary’, Meghan later told a friend of the decision to strip Harry of his military honours.”
In November, Harry’s request to have a Remembrance Day wreath of poppies laid at London’s national memorial to those servicemen and women who have fallen was denied.
The Queen has been urged to strip Meghan and Harry of their titles on numerous occasions (Image: EXPRESS)
The Queen was reported to be behind the decision to reject Harry’s request.
A palace insider said: “Remembrance Sunday is sacrosanct when it comes to Her Majesty’s diary.
“It’s one of the most important dates in her calendar and nothing is done without her knowledge.
“People were suggesting the Palace’s reaction to what Harry asked was petty.
Meghan came under fire for asking Oprah to endorse a new investment with Clevr Blends (Image: GETTY)
“But it was the Queen’s decision. And what’s more, she actually had very strong views on the subject.”
A plaque on the wreath said: “In Memory of the Men Who Offered Their Lives in Defense of Their Country”.
Harry added a personal message, which said: “To all of those who have served, and are serving. Thank you.”
