Meghan Markle, 39, and Prince Harry, 36, have kept their HRH styles and continue to be the Duke and Duchess of Sussex despite stepping down as senior royals last March. They agreed with the Queen that they would not use the word ‘royal’ in conjunction with their work going forward and that their situation would be reviewed after a year.
Meghan and Harry announced their wish to leave the monarchy one year ago on Friday and since quitting the fold they have begun to carve out a new life for themselves and their son Archie Harrison, one, in the USA.
They have settled in Santa Barbara, California and struck a string of lucrative commercial deals.
The couple achieved their goal of gaining financial independence from the Royal Family after landing multi-million-pound contracts with streaming giants Netflix and Spotify.
In the months following their royal withdrawal, Meghan and Harry have begun to express their views on controversial matters more freely and ruffled feathers among traditionalists by speaking out ahead of the American election last November.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle and Harry transition from ‘exiles’ to ‘media royalty’
Working royals are meant to steer clear of political matters but Meghan and Harry’s current position as titled non-senior royals sees them straddle both worlds.
Whether or not the Queen chooses to remove the Sussexes’ titles in March remains to be seen but according to a constitutional expert, the couple are “skating on thin ice.”
Constitutional expert Iain MacMarthanne explained there is currently no precedent for removing Meghan and Harry’s royal titles.
He told Express.co.uk: “As far as the Sussexes and their royal titles are concerned it is clear that any conversation concerning their future use of their titles will be new territory, particularly given the level of speculation as to whether or not they should be stripped of them.”
Mr macMarthanne added: “Even if the peerage were to be removed there remains the matter of the style and title HRH and prince.”
The expert also pointed out that even if Harry’s HRH were removed he would automatically become a prince again upon his father Prince Charles’s accession to the throne.
Mr MacMarthanne said: “By the precedent established at the time of Edward VIII’s abdication it could be expected that if the Sussex peerage were disclaimed or forfeited then the duke would revert to being HRH Prince Henry (Harry) of Wales, becoming HRH The Prince Henry upon the succession of his father.
“In this case the duchess she would become HRH Princess Henry of Wales, thereafter HRH The Princess Henry.
“That all said, the style and title HRH and prince or princess is within the gift of the monarch.”
Mr MacMarthanne claimed the Queen could choose to strip the couple’s titles if she felt it aided the monarchy’s survival.
The expert said: “What is certain though is that the monarchy exists to survive and unless under threat does so through precedent, where no precedent exists or the threat is great the monarchy simply acts.”
Addressing whether the couple could be entirely stripped of their royal status, Mr MacMarthanne said: “Whether or not this might become formalised in some other way is speculation, but given their activities this year it ultimately will remain a talking point for interested parties until resolved one way or another.
“Ultimately the question must be begged: forging the life they now are, abroad, what need have they of any royal title?”
Mr MacMarthanne added: “If their brand has real value it will survive without such window dressings as styles and titles – it was after all the very point the Earl Spencer made about his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, on the occasion of her funeral.
“What has become clear is that for traditionalists and purveyors of precedent the Sussexes are skating on thin ice.
“Whether they have breached their agreement in ‘law’ or the ‘spirit’ of it, the fact remains there is a body of thought that believes their present activities are not commensurate withholding any royal title.
“The monarchy has shown itself to be responsive to public opinion before, the question is whether it wishes to establish a new precedent for those who seek to step back from front line royal duties by removing any and all royal titles from the departing royal: only time and a review of the Sussexes position will tell.”
