King Charles reportedly considered removing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal titles

King Charles and Prince William reportedly discussed removing Harry and Meghan’s Sussex titles after 2024 Nigeria trip

King Charles reportedly considered stripping Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles following their 2024 trip to Nigeria, according to royal expert Tom Quinn.

Harry and Meghan visited Nigeria for three days in May 2024, with the trip highlighting the prince’s Invictus Games initiative as the country expressed interest in hosting the event.

Their engagements included receptions, school visits and charity appearances, which reportedly resembled an official royal visit despite their decision to step back from senior royal duties in 2020.

Speaking to The Mirror in May 2024, Quinn, author of Scandals of the Royal Palaces: An Intimate Memoir of Royals Behaving Badly, described the reported reaction from the King and Prince William.

"All the signs were there, as the couple were greeted with dances, receptions, visits to schools and charities," Quinn said. "William is absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in [the] future. Charles is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him."

Quinn also claimed that Charles and William had discussed removing the couple’s royal titles but were concerned about the potential consequences.

Quinn said they "have had lengthy discussions about stripping Meghan and Harry of their royal titles, but they are terrified this would backfire and make the situation worse."

Although Harry and Meghan no longer use their His and Her Royal Highness stylings, they have retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.

Quinn argued that removing the titles would not necessarily prevent the couple from continuing their international activities or receiving public welcomes. He added that the King and William did not want to provide them with further grounds for complaint.

The couple’s relationship with the royal family remains strained. In September, a letter written on Charles’s behalf reportedly clarified that Harry and Meghan would not return as working royals and would live as "private citizens".

Harry has also expressed a desire to reconcile with William. Speaking on GQ’s One More Question podcast, he said, "I want it to work out," adding that reconciliation was important given other events in the world.