Queen's move to strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their titles 'will be a boon' for couple
The Palace is reportedly in a bind regarding the status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal titles. Apparently, royal expert Daniela Elser has said that a move to strip the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of their titles could "backfire" on the monarchy and "prove to be a boon" for the couple instead.
The conversation regarding their titles began after a royal aide told Daily Mail, "The Duke of Sussex has now spent a significant amount of time emphasizing that he's no different to anyone else and attacking the institution which he says has caused him so much pain. There is a growing feeling that if you dislike the institution that much, you shouldn't have the titles." Royal commentator Lady Colin Campbell also launched a petition online to invite Harry to "voluntarily ask the Queen to put his royal style, titles, and rank into abeyance".
Elser noted these conversations were a result of Harry and Meghan going against The Firm in their public appearances, especially in their Oprah Winfrey interviews, but noted that they are in a win-win situation at the moment
RELATED ARTICLES
Elser in an op-ed for News.com.au wrote, "For one thing, it would make the 95-year-old monarch look quite petty and vindictive. For those squarely in the pro-Harry and Meghan camp, this sort of move would confirm their view that the Queen is a mean-spirited nonagenarian out to punish the only bi-racial member of her extended family."
Speaking about how the Sussexes would play this, she wrote, "The Sussexes, in turn, could bask in a sort of PR martyrdom that would strengthen their anti-Establishment, 'speaking truth to power' brand."
Elser also pointed out that this decision might also make the Queen look like a "hypocrite", given how Prince Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson continues to hold onto the title of Duchess of York which continues to be used by her for many of her commercial ventures in the past three decades. She was also stripped of Her Royal Highness title.
It was also noted by Elser that the Queen can only ask the couple to return their title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Harry's title that he acquired at birth is a status that will remain his. She added, "Therefore, should Harry and Meghan find themselves sans their gifted titles then, no biggie, they can simply go down the Wales route. Not only would they be able to enjoy something of the moral high ground, forced to suffer the slings and arrows of a vengeful palace, but Meghan would be entitled to style herself as a Princess, an even more elevated title than Duchess."
When it comes to the titles of Harry and Meghan, the Palace "only has what looks like losing hands to play", said Elser. She explained, "They can leave the couple and their titles untouched, or they can push them to kowtow to their whims and only strengthen the couple’s US cause."
Elser's op-ed was also seen as a warning according to a report in Express.