According to the royal expert, Harry and Meghan Markle were welcomed in a way that included all the elements of an official royal visit. Quinn said the Sussexes’ speeches in the African country “gave the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals.”
“For Charles and William, it’s as if Meghan and Harry are saying, ‘We don’t need your permission to be working royals – we will do it on our own terms whenever and wherever we like,’” Tom Quinn told the Mirror.
Royal family discussed stripping Harry & Meghan of their titles
King Charles and Prince William might not be able to do anything to stop Harry and Meghan from traveling like, in their opinion, they are royals. However, a new claim suggests that the king has an ace up his sleeve.
Tom Quinn claims that King Charles has been discussing stripping Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their titles.
During their Nigeria trip, The Sussexes used their “Duke” and “Duchess” titles, which were labeled on chairs. Their website also reads “The Office of Prince Harry & Meghan, The Duke & Duchess of Sussex.”
King Charles and Prince William have had “lengthy discussions” about stripping Harry and Meghan of their titles. However, Quinn states that doing it is also a considerable risk.
“They are terrified this would backfire and make the situation worse,” Quinn told the Mirror.
“The last thing they want is to give the renegade royals something else to complain about. William and his father know that even without their royal titles, Meghan and Harry would carry on travelling the world as if they were royals and most people in the world will still welcome them.”
The couple’s visit to Nigeria wasn’t their last trip of the year. They visited Colombia just the previous week, but what the royals thought of that journey is unknown.
King Charles could get ‘big re:ven:ge’ on Harry by removing him from the line of succession
No matter what, Harry seems to burn all his bridges about making amends with his royal family. If King Charles wants, he could get revenge on Harry moving forward.
Every August, the royal family gathers at Balmoral to spend time together. At the same time, the “royal summit” also includes meetings about what is to come. According to Express, one subject this year was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
A source tells the UK newspaper that discussions were held about removing him from the line of succession.
“The order of succession can be altered by statute if a member of the Royal Family permanently resides outside the UK and no longer undertakes royal duties,” the source told Express. “If that were to happen, Harry’s children could also be removed from the line of succession.”
Speaking with the Express, Robert Blackburn, professor of constitutional law at King’s College London shared that while Harry lives abroad, it is not a legal disqualification for becoming monarch. By an Act of Parliament, the Duke can be removed from the line of succession.
“Like Edward VIII, Prince Harry does not wish to perform the role of royalty expected of him and has withdrawn to live abroad. Presumably therefore Prince Harry would be agreeable to abdicate his place in succession if for any reason this became an issue in royal affairs being legislated upon,” said Blackburn.
“The only possible scenario…”
Robert Blackburn explained that King Charles and the royals may want to remove Harry from the line of succession, but it is ‘customary’ that the British Government, not the monarch, takes the initiative to put forward a bill like that.
The professor said that for a constitutional measure like this, it is customary for the British Government to take the initiative and introduce the Bill – not the monarch.
Still, removing Harry from the line of succession could be tricky, according to the professor.
“The only possible scenario, as I see it, is for there to be a Government Bill being prepared on another royal issue, such as an amendment to the Regency Act dealing with eligible counsellors of state, and a clause being added at the same time which Prince Harry himself requests that removes him from the line of succession as a mark of him clearly wishing to relinquish all ties to the public work of the Monarchy and Royal Family,” Robert Blackburn told the Express.