Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle have heard rumors that Prince William wants to strip them of their “HRH” titles, but the couple wasn’t shocked by the news, In Touch has exclusively learned.
“Harry and Meghan have heard the grumblings and aren’t surprised,” an insider tells In Touch. “They try to rise above all the negative comments but it’s hurtful, especially for Harry. But Meghan, still using HRH since stepping away from all royal duties, and moving to California, isn’t doing herself any favors. It’s alienated her even more from the royal family and the people of England.”
Whispers that William, 42, wanted to stop Meghan, 43, and Harry, 40, from using their “Royal Highness” titles began on April 15 after a source told the Daily Beast that the Prince of Wales planned to handle things differently than his father, King Charles. The issue came to the forefront when CEO of IT Cosmetics Jamie Kern Lima shared a gift of “homemade strawberry sauce” from Meghan on her podcast, showing the mom of two had used the title in her signature. The tag on the present read, “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
Meanwhile, Meghan and Harry’s camp argued that the couple wasn’t breaking any rules since the title was used in a personal manner vs. a commercial one. However, a former courtier for the palace called the excuse “complete rubbish” and that it was made “clear they had agreed not to use the HRH titles at all, ever, in any capacity” when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their senior royal duties in 2020.
“Charles might be happy to put up with this, but William won’t,” a source told the publication. “He loathes and despises Harry and Meghan with every bone in his body. He believes they have betrayed everything the family stands for and the idea that they are using their royal status as a calling card will enrage him.”
A friend of William’s also spoke to the outlet and claimed that Charles, 76, had “completely lost control” of the situation.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
“It’s apparent that Harry and Meghan have every intention of making his final years a misery, just as he feared they would. Meghan using her HRH exposes how weak and enfeebled he is,” the friend said. “She knows he won’t do anything. There is no way King William will stand for this. The titles will simply be removed when he is king. A way will be found.”
However, another royal insider told In Touch that they “wouldn’t bet on” Meghan and Harry losing their HRH titles “anytime soon.”
“Not that he hasn’t thought about it, but it would cause an uproar and that’s the last thing the monarchy needs right now,” the source explained. “Of course, King Charles has thought about it too, but he has too much to worry about. He has a lot on his plate with his recovery amid his cancer battle and this just isn’t on his agenda.”
The insider continued, “If it was just Meghan’s title being taken away, it probably wouldn’t be as bad, but the fallout and scrutiny of a father stripping his son of his title would be too intense. There’s no way it will happen under his watch. It’s just not worth it. If it were to happen at all, it would occur during William’s reign as King.”
