According to columnist Jane Moore, tensions between the brothers worsened dramatically after Harry publicly criticized William and other members of the royal family in his 2023 memoir Spare. Writing about the growing divide, Moore suggested that William would act “in a heartbeat” to strip the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of their titles if he had the authority.
While William is believed to hold a tougher stance, King Charles III is said to be approaching the matter with more caution. Despite recently taking action against Prince Andrew by removing key royal privileges, Charles reportedly remains hesitant when it comes to Harry, largely due to his role as both monarch and father.
Royal observers believe the king’s emotional attachment to his youngest son may be influencing his reluctance. There is also speculation that Charles may feel a sense of responsibility—or even guilt—over the family breakdown, which has prevented him from taking harsher measures against Harry and Meghan.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020 and relocated to the United States, where they began building independent careers outside the monarchy. Although they no longer perform royal duties, they have continued using their Sussex titles, which remains a point of controversy among royal commentators and critics.
Most recently, Harry and Meghan traveled to Australia, visiting cities including Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney, where they attended public engagements and visited a children’s hospital. While supporters praised the couple’s outreach efforts, critics viewed the trip as a strategic attempt to refresh their public image following reports that their major media partnership had come to an end.
The continued debate surrounding Harry and Meghan’s titles reflects the broader tensions within the royal family—particularly between William and Harry—suggesting that reconciliation may still be a long way off.
