Public criticism of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle intensified this week following the Duke of Sussex's failed legal bid to restore taxpayer-funded security in the U.K., with prominent voices including broadcaster Piers Morgan and thousands of British citizens calling for the couple to be stripped of their royal titles.
The backlash follows Harry's interview with the BBC on Friday, where he said, "There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has. He won't speak to me because of this security stuff. But it would be nice to reconcile."
The Court of Appeal rejected Harry's challenge to the decision to withdraw his automatic police protection. Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos acknowledged that Harry's statements were "powerful and moving" but concluded, "I could not say that the Duke's sense of grievance translated into a legal argument for the challenge."
In response to the interview, Morgan wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Shut up, you pathetic little brat, nobody in Britain has anything but contempt for your despicable treatment of your family." He later added, "The King must strip Harry and Meghan of their titles asap. They are never going to stop attacking him, the Monarchy, and the Royal Family-all while simultaneously enriching themselves from their royal status. It's despicable."
Morgan's remarks echo broader public sentiment. A poll conducted by Express found that 97% of 4,500 respondents believe King Charles III should strip Harry of his title. A separate survey by Find Out Now reported only 36% of the British public support Harry retaining his title, while 64% expressed support for the King.
Frustration also mounted after reports resurfaced that Meghan Markle used her "HRH" styling in a private gift note sent with a basket of preserves. The card read: "With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex." Sources close to Markle said the use was informal and not intended for public or commercial purposes, maintaining that neither Harry nor Meghan uses the title in official settings.
Still, the note reignited concerns among royal insiders and the public. "Enough is enough," one Brit told The New York Post, referring to the couple's ongoing use of their royal status despite having stepped away from official duties in 2020.
That departure included a formal agreement with the late Queen Elizabeth II, in which the couple pledged not to use their HRH titles publicly. "The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the royal family," Buckingham Palace stated at the time.
The debate comes as King Charles III continues cancer treatment, adding sensitivity to the ongoing public feud. "It's despicable, to put it lightly," one former supporter of the Sussexes said. "It's constant attacks without any real consequences. The [late] Queen would be horrified."
Piers Morgan, who previously clashed with the couple during their lawsuit against The Mirror-a paper he once edited-has maintained his criticism. Prince Harry was awarded £140,600 in damages in December 2023 after a High Court judge found that The Mirror had used unlawful methods to gather information. Morgan has denied knowledge of phone hacking.
Despite the outcry, Buckingham Palace has not signaled any intention to strip the Sussexes of their titles. A spokesperson said the Duke's security issues "have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion."
