As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle carve out their independent path away from the British monarchy, growing speculation surrounds the future of their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, and whether they will have a place in royal life.
The young siblings, now living in California with distinct American accents, are at the center of a widening debate regarding their potential involvement in the monarchy’s future. As tensions between Prince Harry and Prince William remain unresolved, insiders suggest that the royal titles and roles of Archie and Lilibet could quietly be removed in the near future.
The ongoing rift between Harry and William, deepening over the five years since the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties in 2020, has strained family dynamics, with Harry’s repeated public criticisms further damaging fragile relationships. Although Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile with King Charles and hinted at mending ties with his brother, the prospect of a return to a united royal family seems unlikely.
Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan’s continued use of their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles raised eyebrows, despite reportedly agreeing to refrain from doing so with the late Queen Elizabeth II. While King Charles has refrained from formally revoking their HRH styles, royal insiders suggest that Prince William may take a more decisive approach once he ascends to the throne.
According to The Sunday Times, William is expected to carry out a “tidying-up” process during his reign, which could include stripping the HRH titles from Harry, Meghan, and potentially their children. The likelihood of Archie and Lilibet participating in royal duties or retaining their HRH status when they are older is increasingly seen as improbable in royal circles.
Prince William’s vision for the monarchy aligns with his long-standing advocacy for a streamlined royal family, focusing on a smaller, core group of senior royals. This direction under King Charles’s reign appears to leave little room for the continued ambiguity surrounding the Sussex children’s royal roles.
An HRH style, while not a formal title, is a privilege granted by royal decree and can be revoked through the same mechanism. With William poised to inherit this power, his decision to simplify the monarchy’s structure could signal a shift in the Royal Family’s modern identity.
