The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, commonly known as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have once again found themselves embroiled in a contentious debate.
This time, the focal point of the disagreement revolves around the royal titles they have chosen for their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The controversy ignited when Harry and Meghan announced that their son and daughter would be referred to as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
They claimed to have extended an invitation to King Charles III and Prince William, the Prince of Wales, for Lilibet’s christening, an invitation that was reportedly declined.
This announcement has triggered a heated discussion, with critics accusing the couple of infringing upon their children’s constitutional rights and seeking attention, while supporters argue that the Sussexes are simply asserting their legitimate entitlement to these titles.
At the core of the issue lies the intricate and often perplexing regulations surrounding royal titles.
Traditionally, grandchildren of the monarch hold the privilege of using the titles of Prince or Princess.
However, when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal obligations in 2020, it was widely assumed that their children would not automatically inherit these titles.
This assumption stemmed from a letters patent issued by King George V in 1917, which restricted the usage of such titles to the offspring and grandchildren of the sovereign.
Nevertheless, the Sussexes maintain that, with the anticipated reign of King Charles III, their children now qualify as grandchildren of the monarch and thus are eligible for the titles of Prince and Princess.
Despite Archie and Lilibet being American citizens who will not actively participate in the British royal family, Harry and Meghan have insisted on bestowing these titles upon them.
This decision has sparked outrage among critics, who argue that the couple is exposing their children to potential bullying by granting them royal titles while simultaneously distancing themselves from the institution.
Some critics have gone as far as suggesting that Harry and Meghan are compromising their integrity and jeopardizing the safety of themselves and their family.
Adding to the escalating tensions, Ngozi Falani, a prominent black British charity leader, has alleged possessing a recording of an incident at Meghan’s residence where a member of the royal household purportedly questioned her true nationality.
Falani has demanded a public apology, intensifying accusations of racism within the palace.
On the opposing side, proponents of Harry and Meghan’s decisions contend that the couple is merely asserting their rightful claim to these titles.
They argue that the ongoing controversy is yet another instance of the persistent discrimination and scrutiny the Sussexes have encountered since stepping away from their royal duties.
Interestingly, the U.S. Constitution explicitly prohibits the granting of titles of nobility and bars American citizens from accepting foreign titles without congressional consent.
This prohibition has prompted some to question whether Harry and Meghan’s insistence on using royal titles for their children violates this constitutional provision.
Detractors assert that the Sussexes are disregarding legal and cultural norms in pursuit of attention and the preservation of their royal status, despite distancing themselves from the monarchy.
They argue that Harry and Meghan are undermining the institutions they claim to uphold, posing a challenge to the principles of a democratic society.
Conversely, supporters of the Sussexes counter that the ongoing controversy reflects the enduring discrimination and double standards they encounter.
They argue that the use of royal titles is a matter of personal choice, and that the Sussexes are entitled to these titles just like any other grandchild of the monarch.
As the debate continues, the outcome of this latest chapter in the saga of the Sussexes remains uncertain.
Will Harry and Meghan’s insistence on using royal titles for their children be perceived as a legitimate exercise of their rights, or will it be seen as a desperate and unconstitutional quest for attention and status?
Only time will reveal the answer, but one thing is clear: the controversy surrounding the Sussexes shows no signs of dissipating anytime soon.
