Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Criticized for Keeping Royal Titles

You’ve gotta admit, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just can’t seem to catch a break. Ever since they stepped down as senior royals, it seems like they’re getting blasted left and right for their choices. The latest brouhaha? The fact that they’re still using their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles even after leaving the royal family. Critics are accusing them of trying to have their cake and eat it too – flaunting their royal status without doing any of the work. But are the attacks fair? Maybe Harry and Meghan are between a rock and a hard place, trying to balance royal protocol and their new independent life. Either way, the controversy reveals the tricky landscape they’re navigating. Strap in, because the saga continues.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Step Down as Senior Royals

Giving up Royal Titles but Keeping Them

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping down as senior members of the royal family, many expected them to give up their royal titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. However, they have retained these titles even after leaving their royal duties behind. Some see this as the couple wanting to have their cake and eat it too – abandoning the responsibilities that come with being part of the monarchy but keeping the prestige and status of their titles.

Pursuing Financial Independence

Harry and Meghan said their decision to step down was to pursue financial independence and raise their son Archie with more privacy. As senior royals, they were prohibited from earning an income and lived on funds from Prince Charles and taxpayer money. By giving up their senior royal roles, Harry and Meghan are now free to earn money on their own and support themselves financially. Many expect them to sign lucrative deals for things like books, TV shows, public speaking engagements, and brand partnerships.

A New Life in America

After a short stay in Canada, Harry and Meghan have settled into a new life with their son Archie in Montecito, California. Living in America allows them more freedom and privacy away from the intense media scrutiny they received in the UK. While they were beloved members of the royal family, Harry and Meghan struggled with the lack of privacy and the tabloids’ criticism of Meghan. Their move to America represents a chance at a normal life and to raise their son without the pressures of being senior royals.

Overall, while controversial, Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from their royal roles and forge their own path is understandable given their desire for financial freedom and privacy as they raise their young family. Although no longer senior members of the monarchy, their royal titles connect them to Harry’s family and their place in British history.

The Deal Allowed Them to Keep Their Titles of Duke and Duchess

When Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back as senior royals, there was some confusion over whether they’d retain their titles. As part of the agreement allowing their exit, the Queen decided they could keep their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, though they can no longer use ‘His/Her Royal Highness’.

Some saw this as the couple having their cake and eating it too. They get the prestige of the titles without the responsibility that comes with them. Others felt that as the titles were given as a wedding gift, they should remain no matter the couple’s royal status.

The duke and duchess seem to have no qualms about using their titles in their new non-royal life. Their Archewell organization and Spotify podcast are both touted as being from ‘Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’. They’ve also used their duke and duchess titles in communication with political leaders as they advocate for social change and charitable causes.

For a couple embarking on careers independent of the monarchy, their continued use of the titles is confusing and off-putting to some. The titles imply a level of importance and authority that comes from their former royal roles, not from anything they’ve achieved outside of that system. As non-working royals, do they really need the pomp and circumstance the titles afford them?

On the other hand, the titles are a link to Harry’s royal heritage that he likely wants to maintain, especially for his children’s sake. And for Meghan, the titles confirm her place in the royal family, even after stepping away from her brief stint as a senior royal.

Love them or not, unless the Queen revokes them, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles are here to stay. Though in what capacity and for how long remains to be seen.

Criticism for Using Titles in Non-Royal Roles

Prince Harry and Meghan have faced backlash for continuing to use their royal titles despite stepping back from royal duties last year. Many see their use of “Duke and Duchess of Sussex” as inappropriate given their new lives outside of the monarchy.

Profiting From Titles

Some argue that Harry and Meghan are exploiting their titles for commercial gain. By signing production deals and writing books under their royal names, it appears they’re profiting from an institution they left behind. Their defenders counter that the couple’s fame comes from their own celebrity, not their titles. Still, there’s a sense they want it both ways—the prestige of royalty and the freedom of celebrity.

Confusing The Public

For others, Harry and Meghan’s use of titles breeds confusion about their current status. Are they royals or not? The muddled messaging threatens to undermine the monarchy by blurring the lines between the family and A-list celebrities. However, their supporters say Harry’s place in the line of succession hasn’t changed, so his title remains appropriate.

Setting A Precedent

Perhaps the biggest concern is that Harry and Meghan have set a precedent for “pick and choose” royalty. If other members follow their lead, the monarchy could be left with only a handful of working royals and many more part-timers wanting the status of titles without responsibility. The ripple effects on the institution could be far-reaching.

While the criticism isn’t entirely unfounded, much of the backlash seems to stem from discomfort with Harry and Meghan forging their own path. Their unique situation calls for a balanced perspective and openness to new models of royalty that support family and duty. With time and open communication, the ruffled feathers may smooth, and their post-royal titles could come to be seen as a logical and forward-thinking solution.

Impact on the Royal Family Brand

The Sussexes’ decision to step back from royal duties while still using their titles has been controversial, to say the least. Many see it as wanting to have their cake and eat it too—enjoying the perks of royalty without the responsibility. For the royal family, this poses risks to their image and brand.

Blurring the Line Between Royal and Celebrity

By engaging in commercial deals and a flashy lifestyle in North America, Harry and Meghan open themselves up to accusations of exploiting their royal status for financial gain. This blurs the line between royal and celebrity in a way that cheapens the monarchy. Some fear the royal family will be seen more as a vehicle for fame and fortune rather than public service.

Setting a Precedent

The concessions granted to Harry and Meghan could set an uncomfortable precedent for the royal family. If other royals follow in their footsteps, demanding more freedom and fewer responsibilities, it could significantly weaken the monarchy. The Queen has spent her lifetime dedicated to duty and service. This new model promoted by the Sussexes stands in stark contrast.

Diminishing Global Standing

The royal family is a powerful symbol of British history, culture and values around the world. As senior royals like Harry and Meghan separate themselves, both physically and symbolically, from the core institution, it risks diminishing its global standing and soft power. The monarchy depends greatly on the participation of leading family members to maintain its prestige and position on the world stage.

The long-term implications of the Sussexes’ actions on the royal brand remain to be seen. For now, their desire to have an independent life free from constraints is understandable. However, the benefits of royalty come with certain obligations. If they are unwilling to fulfill them, perhaps it is time for Meghan and Harry to relinquish their titles altogether in favor of the private life they seek. The monarchy has survived for centuries; with or without the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, its legacy will endure.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle FAQ: Answering Common Questions

Conclusion

So there you have it. Love them or hate them, Harry and Meghan continue to make waves even after stepping back from royal duties. Maybe keeping their titles rubs some folks the wrong way. But they’re using those connections to do good work with their charities and media projects. At the end of the day, the royal family drama will roll on with or without them. The real question is, can Harry and Meghan tune out the noise, stay true to themselves, and keep striving to make a difference in their own way? Only time will tell how this new chapter unfolds. Wherever it leads, one thing’s for sure – it’ll never be boring.