Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be on 'borrowed time' as William still 'furious' over 'rift'
The pair have kept their royal titles after stepping back from duties
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal titles may be on “borrowed time” and the couple’s future within the monarchy remains uncertain, a royal commentator has claimed as tensions with Prince William remain unresolved.
Royal biographer Tom Bower says King Charles’ decision to strip his brother Andrew of his titles and long-time residence at Royal Lodge has sent a clear and chilling message to the Sussexes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on ‘borrowed time’ amid ‘rift’ with Prince William
“For Harry, it was an unbelievable shock that the king could strip Andrew of his titles, including prince. It changes everything,” Bower claimed to The Mirror.
Bower believes that William is reportedly still “furious” over Harry and Meghan’s past actions, including their interviews and Harry’s tell-all memoir. Bower suggested the couple’s standing is now deeply precarious.
“They are on borrowed time and vulnerable now. I don’t think there is anything they can do to reverse the hurt they have caused Kate and William,” Bower continued. “And William is still furious.”
The ongoing tension stems from what Bower described as years of “betrayals,” many of which are “too catastrophic to forgive”. He pointed to Harry’s tell-all memoir Spare, in which he detailed private conflicts with his brother, as just one example.
But the most damaging moment, he claimed, was the couple’s 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview.
In the interview, Meghan claimed that there were “concerns and conversations” within the royal family about “how dark” their son Archie’s skin might be when he was born.
At the time, Buckingham Palace spoke out. A statement read: “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
Meghan and Harry’s royal titles
Another major issue is Meghan’s continued use of royal styling. The couple agreed to stop using “His/Her Royal Highness” after stepping back from royal life.
But controversy was reignited earlier this year when Meghan sent a gift to beauty executive Jamie Kern Lima that included a card reading, “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex”.
Sources close to the couple defended the use, saying it wasn’t for commercial purposes. But Bower sees it differently. “It’s a great trading asset,” he said.
While King Charles was the one to act in Andrew’s case, Bower believes it will be William, not his father, who ultimately makes the call on Harry and Meghan’s titles.
Charles, he says, is unlikely to act without pressure. But William may see it as necessary.
Stripping Harry and Meghan of their titles would be a dramatic step, and the optics would be tricky. It could be seen as “vindictive”. But Bower claimed that allowing them to keep using the titles could undermine the monarchy.
“It’s a rock and a hard place,” he noted. “But I think it is inevitable.”
Read more: Michelle Obama’s reaction to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s explosive Oprah interview
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