Republic is an organisation that campaigns for Queen Elizabeth II to be replaced by an elected, democratic head of state and the monarchy to be abolished. Graham Smith, the organisation’s CEO, told Express.co.uk that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently still attached to the Royal Family due to their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
Mr Smith said: “I think there is an issue that Harry and Meghan are still Duke and Duchess and attached to the Royal Family even though they are not so-called working royals.
“They are expected to be out of politics.
“I think that they need to have a very clear break and they need to lose all the titles and the status connected to the Royal Family.
“Then they will be private citizens and they can do what they want.”
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However, this view was strongly criticised by royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams.
Mr Fitzwilliams praised the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and pointed to the level of demand they still command.
He added that the couples recent deals with Spotify and Netflix demonstrate their worldwide appeal.
Mr Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “I think Harry and Meghan will undoubtedly keep their royal titles which are in the gift of the Queen, though not use the HRH as agreed.
“They have, as is evident from their deals with Netflix and Spotify, enormous appeal and a worldwide reach.”
Mr Fitzwilliams also stated that as they retain their royal titles there are still some areas that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should not wade into.
He said: “Clearly there are boundaries which they ought not to cross and this matter will be looked into when the agreement made with the Queen at Sandringham is reassessed before the end of March.
“If they were not royal, the interest in them would be minimal and this is simply a fact of life.”
