There was a lot to unpack from the highly-anticipated 60 Minutes interview between Anderson Cooper and Prince Harry that aired on CBS on Sunday, January 8th. The Duke of Sussex, 38, treated us to a *lot* of new information, but one thing that gripped royal fans (and royal critics alike!) the most – aside from the ongoing feud between Prince Harry and older brother Prince William – was the subject of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s titles, which many critics believe they should be stripped of now that they have stepped back as senior royals.
Anderson Cooper Grills Prince Harry On His And Meghan's Titles
If you'll recall, the late Queen Elizabeth II awarded the titles 'Duke and Duchess of Sussex' to Prince Harry and Meghan, 41, back in May 2018 when they got married – in the same way the 'Duke and Duchess of Cambridge' titles were gifted to Prince William, 40, and Kate Middleton, 41, when they tied the knot back in April 2011. But many people (including Piers Morgan, naturally) believe that the Sussexes should renounce their titles since stepping down as senior royals, and even more so since speaking so negatively about the royal family over the years.
The most recent question about titles came after Prince Harry was talking to Cooper about the intrusiveness of the British media, and why he, Meghan, and their two children, Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, moved from Britain to California. When Cooper, 55, point blank asked the Duke of Sussex, "Why not renounce your titles as Duke and Duchess?" Prince Harry simply replied, "And what difference would that make?" And that answer – or non-answer – has driven social media wild!
Social Media Speaks Out
A great way of finding out what some members of the public think is to read social media comments – and as expected, there were a *lot* of opinions on Prince Harry's answer to Cooper's question about the titles.
"Good question…but of course they want the fancy titles to make money," one Twitter user wrote to People's post about the Sussexes giving up their titles, followed by three clown emojis. It seems like many other Twitter users were in agreement with their thoughts about money being the biggest reason Prince Harry and Meghan want to keep their titles, with one exclaiming, "Money honey!" and another adding, "No titles no money! They would just be two no bodies complaining about nothing." "Because they want to have their cake and eat it too," commented another. "Meghan would never. She craves the attention," said another.
Good question…but of course they want the fancy titles to make money…
— KikaCR (@KikaCR) January 9, 2023
However, other Twitter users were a little more compassionate, and at the very least, a little less judgemental, with one writing, "I have such a different take on this… nobody knows what it’s like to live that life." "The titles were gifted to them by the Queen," noted another Twitter user. "He’s a prince; he was born into it; it is his right," wrote another.
What Have Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Said About Their Titles In The Past?
Meghan Markle previously told Oprah Winfrey during her and Prince Harry's infamous bombshell interview back in March 2021 that titles weren’t important to her, but she has now reportedly had a "dramatic change of heart regarding titles" after speaking with Prince Harry's cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
"Harry and Meghan are very, very keen to cling onto those royal titles. After much deliberation, Meghan decided that the titles would be a good thing, not just for her but for both her children too," royal commentator Neil Sean told The Daily Express last month. "Meghan has become very friendly with senior members of the monarchy, predominantly Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice. After this, Meghan realized how useful a title can be, particularly when you want to move in the correct circles," he added, in reference to Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and Fergie, the Duchess of York's daughters. "That is the reason why they want to clutch hold of titles. It's really down to the fact that after befriending Beatrice and Eugenie, she saw how useful those titles are to them. Their father, Prince Andrew, had to push very hard to make sure his children got those titles."
Royal commentator Neil Sean has claimed that Meghan Markle has had a "dramatic change of heart regarding titles" and is keen on "clutching" onto them for herself, Prince Harry and their two children pic.twitter.com/JWpXzNyVhf
— Bristol Live (@BristolLive) November 13, 2022
As things currently stand, King Charles reportedly has no desire to strip the Sussexes of their titles. Whether he gives them new ones, like he has done for the Prince and Princess of Wales and Queen Consort Camilla, is a different story, but for the moment the King has been advised that stripping them of their existing titles wouldn’t be the best move. "Stripping their title is not something the King would likely ever consider, mostly because it would be too petty and punitive," a royal expert told Page Six last month, adding: "It would only lead to the Sussexes claiming that it was a retaliatory action and proof they were never wanted in the royal family."
