Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain distant from the royal family, with no communication between them and either King Charles or Prince William.

Despite this estrangement, one royal expert claims the Prince of Wales may have actually protected them from a potentially public humiliation.

Though they now live in California and are no longer working royals, Harry and Meghan continue to use their titles — the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — which were granted to them by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.

The ongoing use of these titles has stirred controversy, especially as critics question whether Prince William might one day revoke them when he becomes king.

Officially, Harry and Meghan cannot use their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) styles for commercial purposes since stepping down from royal duties.

Still, they consistently present themselves using their Duke and Duchess titles. While calls to strip them of these honors persist from detractors, King Charles has shown no indication he plans to take such action.

However, speculation lingers around Prince William possibly adopting a different stance. Royal expert Jennie Bond believes it’s doubtful, citing the complexity and potential fallout of such a move.

“Granted, there seems to be a public appetite for stripping them of their titles,” Bond told the Mirror, “but I think it’s unlikely that William would choose to do this. It would seem, and in fact would be, quite vindictive. There is also the question of whether a monarch can indeed do this.”

She explained that while some titles can be revoked at the Sovereign’s discretion, removing a peerage — such as Duke of Sussex — would likely require an act of Parliament. “Harry became Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron of Kilkeel when he married in 2018. And it would be a brave government to venture into that field when there are, in all honesty, so many more pressing issues.”

Bond added that even if William and Harry remain estranged, it’s more likely William will simply view Harry as irrelevant to his life and to Britain, rather than pursue a punitive route. “I don’t think he would trouble himself with taking away either of their titles.”

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan’s children — Archie and Lilibet — officially became Prince and Princess in 2022 when Charles ascended to the throne. A statement from the Sussexes addressed the controversy around their children’s titles: “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”

Last month, Meghan sparked further discussion when a podcast host shared a gift basket from her, accompanied by a note that read, “With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.” Though they agreed not to use HRH in public, sources close to the couple claimed private use is still allowed and does not breach any agreement.

When the couple stepped down in 2020, Buckingham Palace stated, “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the royal family.”

Still, Bond suspects Meghan’s continued use of the title suggests the couple would be deeply offended if William ever did take action. “For Harry and Meghan, it would, of course, be a very public insult,” she said.

“Curiously, even though they have turned their backs on rejoining the working royals, they seem very wedded to the idea that their children should use their royal titles. And Meghan is clearly not averse to using her HRH, even though she was expressly told not to.”

She concluded, “So I’m sure they would be hurt and angry if theirs were taken from them. It would, inevitably, reduce their standing, particularly, perhaps, in the eyes of the American public, who seem to adore royalty. But I simply do not think this is going to happen.”