Prince Harry, 36, was stripped of his military titles after he stepped down as a senior working royal to move to LA with his wife, Meghan Markle, 39. The Duke of Sussex 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. Royal editor Rebecca English said Harry is claimed to be “fighting” to keep the titles as she warned of “another spat on the horizon” between the palace and the Sussexes.
Speaking to Palace Confidential on Mail+, Ms English said: “The military titles was the one issue after the Sandringham summit that was yet to be resolved.
“Obviously the couple were told they had to give up most of their royal links and patronages but Harry is very passionate about his work with the military.
“The Queen agreed to let him keep his three honorary military titles in obeyance until the 12-month probationary period was up.
“The Daily Telegraph was briefed by friends of Harry this week claiming he was determined to fight to keep these patronages.
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“I’ve spoken to Buckingham Palace who are not commenting on the record but the definite guidance is they don’t feel their position has changed.
“It does need to be a clean break and Harry will have to relinquish those titles as well.
“It does seem like there could be another spat on the horizon and again that’s something the monarchy and also Harry and Meghan don’t need.”
According to the book Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, Harry was devastated by the loss of the roles.
Mr Scobie and Ms Durand write: “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.”
Some members of the public have called for Prince Harry to be stripped of his ducal title, but royal expert Marlene Koenig pointed out the Duke may automatically no longer be known as the Duke of Sussex if he chose to apply for US citizenship.
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Speaking to Express.co.uk, Ms Koenig said: “He would literally have to give it up, even though there is no law preventing him from still being called Prince Harry, but when you become a US citizen, you have to renounce any titles or allegiance.
“But, for example, there are two Americans who are peers, one is the Earl of Wharncliffe and I’m sure he doesn’t use his title in everyday life, but I’m sure there’s nothing stopping him from using it.
“And there are at least two Americans who have inherited a baronetcy.
“You might not put that on your business card if you’re a carpenter but it’s not against the law.”
US Constitution Article 1 clause 8 states: “No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.”
