Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to have encountered significant delays when applying for British passports for their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. What should have been a routine process taking around three weeks reportedly stretched to nearly six months—raising concerns and suspicions from the couple.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the delay may have been influenced by internal resistance within the British establishment, possibly including King Charles III himself. The speculation arises from the fact that the passport applications referred to the children by their royal titles—”His Royal Highness” and “Her Royal Highness”—and used the surname “Sussex,” which the couple has adopted for their family since 2023. Notably, Archie previously held a passport using the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.

The use of royal titles has been a point of tension ever since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their official duties in 2020. Though their children became eligible for the HRH titles after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, there has been ongoing debate about whether the titles should be formally recognized or used in official documents.

Throughout the application process, Harry and Meghan reportedly received multiple explanations from the UK Home Office citing “technical issues” as the reason for the delay. At one point, the couple tried to expedite the process through the UK’s 24-hour emergency passport service, but their appointment was suddenly canceled due to a supposed “system error.”

Frustrated by the lack of progress, the Sussexes’ legal team considered filing a formal subject access request—a legal move that would compel the government to release internal communications about the case. This type of request could potentially reveal whether any political or royal interference occurred behind the scenes. Interestingly, the passports were issued soon after the legal threat was made.

Both the Home Office and Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the specific case. However, a spokesperson for the Palace denied any involvement or interference regarding the children’s titles or passport applications. “The Palace has not issued any guidance nor voiced any objections,” the source stated.

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan also declined to offer details, saying simply: “We do not comment on private matters involving the children of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the British royal institution, especially when it comes to the status of their children. While the titles of Archie and Lilibet have been publicly acknowledged, behind-the-scenes disagreements over formal recognition and treatment seem to persist.