Meghan Markle and Harry were hot: the queen hesitated to also withdraw their Sussex title
If Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had agreed to part ways with their royal titles after their shocking announcement, they could have lost much more. Queen Elizabeth II had indeed decided on their ranks of duke and duchess before changing their minds.
The "Sussexes" did not happen far from being able to be. By deciding to step down from their duties with the British royal family, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have agreed to part with their royal titles. In their press release which made this unprecedented choice this Saturday, January 18, Archie's parents specified that they "completely" gave up their royal duties as well as their titles. But according to information from the Evening Standard, they could have lost much more ...
And in particular their roles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The demotion in rank of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry - which is one of the oldest royal titles - has indeed been discussed by Elizabeth II. The queen, shocked by this announcement, had then imagined giving them the roles of Earl and Countess of Dumbarton, thus putting them on the same level as Prince Edward and Sophie, Earl and Countess of Wessex. "The title Sussex is one of the former royal duchies entrusted to him before his marriage to Meghan, along with other titles. Removing it has been seriously considered and discussed at the highest level," a source assured.
But in the end, Her Majesty preferred to backtrack and leave the Sussexes free to continue using this title. In fact, Elizabeth II and Prince Charles were afraid of appearing "petty" by removing the title that Meghan Markle acquired by marrying Prince Harry in May 2018. The monarch and his future successor have decided that they will be prohibited from using their royal titles in public and for commercial purposes was sufficient, as "they are no longer active members of the royal family", as the Queen wrote in her statement. But the next few months are likely to be even tense between members of the royal family and those who have just moved to North America. As the Evening Standard notes, the use of their "Sussex Royal" brand for their business activity could lead them to a (new) "conflict" with their loved ones. But in the meantime, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are savoring the first days of their new life, on the other side of the Atlantic.
After speaking for the first time since the Megxit, the Duke of Sussex indeed flew to Canada to join woman and child this Monday, January 20 in the evening. During his speech - deemed "whiny" by some - at the dinner of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in Lesotho, he insisted on telling his "truth". The opportunity for him to reassure the British but also to pay tribute to Meghan Markle and to thank Queen Elizabeth II for her understanding. After "months of discussions", Prince Harry explained that the couple had "really no other options" for their future. On Vancouver Island, far from the tension that reigns in England, the Sussexes are therefore preparing to "take a step towards a more peaceful life".
