Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children Archie and Lilibet shouldn’t become working royals, say fans
The couple want their children to have the option to become working royals in the future
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may hope their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will one day have the option of joining the royal fold, but a new poll shows the public isn’t on board.
In a survey conducted by Royal Insider, over 85% of respondents said they believe Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, should not be offered the chance to become working royals when they grow up.
Only 14% said the children should be given the opportunity, citing their background and lineage.
The results reflect growing public scepticism about the Sussexes’ continued connection to the monarchy. This is despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020 and moving to California.
According to palace insiders, Prince Harry and Meghan want their children to retain their royal titles so they can choose their own paths in the future.
But critics say the move is contradictory.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle criticised over wanting to retain HRH titles
“I really don’t understand why, having extricated themselves from a life they did not enjoy and in which Harry has publicly spoken of ‘feeling trapped,’ they want to give their children the option of rejoining,” royal expert Jennie Bond told The Mirror. “It makes no sense.”
Bond continued: “Who knows what’s going to happen in the future? But it’s very hard to see how two children who are clearly now more American than British would want to change their whole way of life and become working members of the royal family.”
Recent reports about passport delays for the Sussex children have only intensified scrutiny.
Sources claim the Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced a months-long delay when applying for British passports for Archie and Lilibet. This was allegedly due to the inclusion of HRH titles on the application forms.
King Charles is said to have been “bemused” by the suggestion that he or palace officials had anything to do with the issues. Buckingham Palace swiftly denied any involvement.
“King Charles, battling cancer and governing an entire monarchy, has better and more important matters to handle than meddling in passport applications,” they announced.
HRH titles
Meanwhile, the debate surrounding royal titles has resurfaced repeatedly. Most recently, when Meghan allegedly used her HRH styling on a gift basket sent to entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima.
The card read: “With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
Critics accused the Duchess of violating the terms of the 2020 Sandringham agreement. Meghan’s team insisted it was a personal, not commercial, gesture. However, the moment sparked fresh calls for the Sussexes and their children to be stripped of their titles entirely.
King Charles has never publicly stated a desire for a “slimmed-down monarchy”. However, his decisions since the coronation suggest a more streamlined royal family. For example, only working royals have appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony during his reign.
Some experts speculate that if Charles wanted to remove Archie and Lilibet’s titles, he could do so discreetly, without implicating Prince William, the future king, in the decision.
Archie and Lilibet received their titles when Charles ascended the throne
When Archie was born in 2019, he was not automatically granted a royal title. This was due to his position in the line of succession.
However, when Charles became king, both Archie and Lilibet automatically became a prince and princess under the terms of the 1917 Letters Patent.
The choice to use the titles publicly was left to the Sussexes. The couple chose to do so, first revealing the change in March 2023 during Lilibet’s christening announcement.
That decision sparked intense debate.
Despite calls from some fans and commentators to remove the children’s titles, others argue that Archie and Lilibet should one day decide for themselves, a choice their parents say they are fighting to preserve.
But public sentiment appears to be leaning in a different direction.
Whether or not Archie and Lilibet ever take on royal roles remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the debate around their future is far from over.
Read more: Prince Harry ’caused too much damage’ to William and royal family for reconciliation, fans say
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