Lately, there have been rumors that Prince William might remove Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s HRH titles once he becomes king.

But can the Prince of Wales actually do that when he takes the throne?

Meghan Markle has recently faced criticism for using her HRH title in a private gift basket sent to a friend.

Back in 2020, when she and Harry stepped down from their senior royal duties, the palace said they would no longer use their HRH titles. However, a source close to Meghan explained last week that the couple still technically hold those titles — they just don’t use them for “commercial purposes.” Since the gift was sent in a private setting, it wasn’t considered commercial.

Prince William could ‘strip’ Harry and Meghan of their HRH titles when he becomes king, report claims

After Meghan’s gift hamper was mentioned in her recent podcast with her friend and businesswoman Jamie Kern Lima—along with a note that included her royal title—it sparked a wave of backlash online.

Many people questioned why Meghan was using her title even though she’s no longer a working royal. But someone close to the duchess explained: “Harry and Meghan retain their HRH titles. However, by agreement, they do not use them for commercial purposes.”

Following that, reports suggested Prince William wasn’t pleased with Meghan’s actions. A source told the Daily Beast: “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.”

Can William remove Harry’s title?

So the big question now is — when Prince William becomes king, can he take away Harry and Meghan’s HRH titles?

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Royal Insider how that might work.

He said: “In theory he could but it would cause enormous trouble and controversy. It would need an act of Parliament to take away the Sussex dukedom which almost certainly won’t happen.

“They shouldn’t use the HRH but we know they do. However he will always be a prince and she is a princess. The matter is best left.”

What are Harry and Meghan’s titles now?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hold the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex — titles that were given to them by the late Queen Elizabeth II when they got married in May 2018.

Even though they’ve stepped back from being working royals, they still use their Sussex titles.

They also have other titles: Earl and Countess of Dumbarton, and Baron and Baroness Kilkeel.

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