Meghan and Harry have made considerable headway in starting their new life away from the UK. The couple left for Canada following their exit from the Royal Family to raise their son, Archie Harrison, away from the media spotlight.
In agreement with the Queen, the couple announced in January they would continue to support the Queen albeit in a more limited capacity.
They also agreed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will retain their “HRH” prefix, thereby formally remaining known as His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.
However, Meghan and Harry will no longer actively use their HRH titles as they are no longer be working members of the family.
The couple completed their final royal engagements and formally left the family on March 31.
Meghan’s involvement in American politics has annoyed some, while many have come to her defense and defended her right to express herself even if royal protocol does not allow it.
Meghan has addressed several key issues of the upcoming American election in several public talks and panels in recent weeks.
She most recently took part in a recorded conversation with feminist icon Gloria Steinem.
In the candid discussion they addressed issues such as representation, women’s rights and voter suppression ahead of the 2020 election, which will see either Joe Biden or Donald Trump win the presidency.
Could the Queen remove Meghan’s royal title?
In theory – yes, the Queen could certainly remove Meghan’s Duchess of Sussex title.
British peerages and royal titles can be taken away under the Titles Deprivation Act 1917, and the Queen is one who can give and take them away.
Meghan attained her title through her marriage to Prince Harry – so if Meghan were to be stripped of her title, so would Harry.
Dukedoms are bestowed upon married members of the Royal Family – particularly those who are in the direct line of succession.
Aside from Prince Edward, all of the Queen’s direct descendants in the line of succession have a Dukedom if they are married.
The palace was forced to deny reports earlier this year that it was considered the couple would have their dukedom removed.
A source told the Evening Standard that removing the Sussex name “was seriously considered and discussed at the highest level”.
But palace insiders have since said the assertion was “categorically untrue”.
According to reports, the couple would have been expected to continue into the future under one of Harry’s more junior titles – potentially as the earl and countess of Dumbarton – but there the Queen and Prince Charles feared such a move could be considered petty.
