Prince William could move to strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their royal titles when he becomes king, according to claims by royal biographer Tom Bower, as tensions surrounding the couple's recent Australia trip reignite debate over the boundaries between private life and royal branding.
The remarks follow a four-day visit by Harry and Meghan to cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, a trip that drew sharply divided reactions. Supporters described the tour as effective informal diplomacy, while critics argued it blurred the distinction between official royal duties and independent commercial positioning.
Bower framed the dispute as fundamentally financial rather than personal. "It was a desperate bid to commercialise, which is going to rebound on them," he told Woman's Day, alleging the couple are using international appearances to "exploit their royal status to earn money."
The controversy has placed renewed focus on the legal and symbolic weight of royal titles. While Harry and Meghan stepped back from official duties in 2020 and now reside in California, they have continued to use the Duke and Duchess of Sussex designations in public-facing projects and appearances.
Bower argued that the current monarch, King Charles III, is unlikely to act during his reign but suggested a future shift under William. "Yes, when William's king, I think he will strip them of their titles, because it's hugely damaging to the royal family," Bower said, adding that such a move might "look spiteful" but would reflect broader public sentiment.
He further claimed that "the majority of Britons" are now "sick to death of seeing Harry and Meghan exploit their royal titles," framing the issue as one of institutional credibility rather than family dynamics.
There has been no official response from Buckingham Palace, and no indication that title removal is under consideration. Under the British constitutional framework, decisions involving peerages and styles would require coordination between the monarch and Parliament, making any such outcome uncertain and procedurally complex.
Bower extended his criticism beyond titles to the couple's broader public strategy, including Meghan's commercial positioning. He described her approach to fashion and branding as "quite crude and quite blatant," arguing that curated appearances tied to purchasable products reflect a deliberate monetization strategy.
The Sussexes have previously pushed back against Bower's claims. In a statement regarding his book, they said he has "made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met," adding: "Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him."
The episode underscores a broader structural tension within the modern monarchy: how to manage high-profile figures who retain titles but operate outside institutional control. The Australia trip, like earlier visits to countries such as Nigeria and Colombia, has become a flashpoint in that debate.
