The Debate Over Meghan Markle and Her Children's Royal Titles: Ins and Outs

Recently, there has been a significant buzz surrounding the potential stripping of the royal titles for Meghan Markle and her children, Archie and Lilibet. This article explores the ongoing debate, delving into the legalities and potential ramifications of such an action. While some claims have been made, we clarify the current state of affairs and the implications for the British royal family.

Legality and Current Status

As of January 7, 2024, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has not made any public decisions regarding the titles of her nephew, Archie, and niece, Lilibet. Their titles have neither been officially confirmed nor revoked. In the United Kingdom, the monarch, King Charles III, holds the power to grant or revoke royal titles. This decision is currently pending, potentially influenced by various factors including the upcoming Netflix series and book released by Harry and Meghan.

Princess Anne's Role

Princess Anne, being the king's sister, is often scrutinized for her possible influence over royal affairs. However, the Princess Royal does not have the authority to strip royal titles. According to current legal principles, the monarch and the UK government are the ones who can grant or revoke titles. This process involves parliamentary discussion and the signing of letters patent by the monarch.

Legislative Background

Recent legislative proposals aim to change the laws from the First World War, with Conservative MP Bob Seely advocating for changes that could strip Meghan and her children of their royal titles. These changes would forcibly reduce their titles to simple titles such as Mr. and Mrs., potentially impacting their legal and social standing.

Currently, there is a Private Member's Bill going through Parliament, which, if passed, would grant the monarch the ability to remove titles. If this bill becomes law, it would need the approval of the Parliaments of the 14 other nations that recognize King Charles III as their head of state. The monarch would then issue letters patent to make the decision official and legally binding within the United Kingdom and its realms.

Historical Context: Letters Patent

To understand the dynamics behind this issue, it is helpful to look at historical precedents. In 1917, King George V issued letters patent that reduced the titles of certain members of the royal family to align with the modern view of the royal family. In 2013, similar letters patent were issued, replacing male preference primogeniture with gender-neutral age-based succession.

Historically, letters patent have been used to reduce or alter titles when certain members of the royal family were granted honorary ranks within the British military, and their nations were at war with Britain. In such instances, the monarch and parliament acted in unison, ensuring that any decision was supported by the common head of state and the governed nations.

Public and Private Discussions

The wishes and hopes of working royals like Princess Anne may be communicated to the monarch, who would take such advice into consideration. However, these discussions are generally private and not public knowledge. The monarch's decision would still be the final authority, as they are the ones who grant and revoke titles in the United Kingdom.

Conclusion

The debate over Meghan Markle and her children's royal titles is complex and multifaceted. While there have been proposals and discussions, the ultimate decision lies with the monarch and any necessary legislation would need to be passed through Parliament. The royal family and their supporters would be closely watching the outcome of this legislative process, which has the potential to impact the legal and social status of the family.