Prince Charles think that Meghan Markle's title is provocative?
Prince Charles has been branded "clumsy" for his response to Meghan Markle joining the Royal Family and his failure to see the opportunities of securing a title for Archie Harrison from birth.
Prince Charles should have recognised Meghan Markle and Archie Harrison could have played a pivotal role in helping the Royal Family promote its work across the Commonwealth, Tessa Dunlop said. The broadcaster noted the Prince of Wales' "provocative" plans to slim down the royal rooster and failing to provide Archie a princely title straight away likely played a part in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to stand down. Speaking to Mail+, Ms Dunlop said: "I think Prince Charles has probably been clumsy.
"He reminds me of the well-meaning, avuncular man in the corner who's a bit out of date, who occasionally gaffes and gets things wrong.
"In his head, it would be simpler to have fewer princes and princesses.
"Prince Charles, a well-intentioned man, walked Meghan Markle down the aisle. He was ready and keen to welcome her into the family but he failed to recognise the wider implications of having a woman of colour in the contemporary Royal Family and what that meant for the potential reach, potential diversity, the voice in the Commonwealth."
Ms Dunlop continued: "And he dropped the ball, he should've done the exact opposite which was 'hey Meghan, I wanted to slim down the monarchy but instead I’m so going to make your Archie the biggest and best prince on the planet.
"'Oh, except he’s never going to be king'."
Archie Harrison and younger sister Lilibet Diana are the only two of Prince Charles' grandchildren not to hold the titles of prince and princess.
The Queen made a change to the letters patent regulating the assignment of royal titles ahead of Prince George's birth, resulting in all of Prince William's children having a title since birth.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were reportedly offered the opportunity to have Archie Harrison styled as the Earl of Dumbarton, one of the Duke's subsidiary titles, but they turned the offer down.
He is officially styled as Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor whilst his younger sister is entitled to be known as Lady Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor as she is the daughter of a duke.
However, as the grandchildren of the future king, both Archie and Lilibet are expected to be offered a prince and princess title when Prince Charles ascends to the throne.
Royal author Victoria Murphy said: "There have been stories recently that suggested that Prince Charles plans to change things when he becomes king.
"And he would limit titles in line with having a slimmed-down monarchy.
"But Robert Lacey in his book, which seems to be very well-sourced, doesn't seem to think this is likely.
"He seems to think that it won't be a priority for Charles when he becomes king and things will be left as they are which means that, when he becomes king, Archie and Lili will be able to use those prince and princess titles if they want to."
Prince Charles is believed not have seen Archie Harrison in person since his parents took a six-week break from duty in November 2019.
The Sussexes later relocated to California after announcing their plans to step down and their son has not returned to the UK since.
The Prince of Wales has also yet to meet his youngest granddaughter, who was born on June 4, in person.
