Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are 'quite likely' to lose their HRH titles in a matter of months

It is said to be "quite likely" that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will lose their HRH titles when their situation is reviewed next year, according to a royal expert. 

• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given a 12-month review on their decision to step down as senior royals
• As the end of that review approaches, Robert Lacey predicts it is "quite likely" they will forfeit their HRH titles
• It follows royal news that Prince Harry has suffered a sad loss after the death of his godmother 

A review will soon be underway to determine the future of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's place within the Royal Firm after they made the bold decision to step back as senior royals earlier this year. 

At the time, following their shock decision to walk away and move to America, a statement said, "The Royal Family and Sussexes have agreed to an initial 12-month review to ensure the arrangement works for all parties."

And now it has been claimed it is "quite likely" they will lose their HRH titles, if they can no longer continue as working royals. 

Robert Lacey explained, "There are two titles involved, there is the HRH status and then there is the actual title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

"Obviously if the review in March concludes they can't stay working royals, then it's quite likely they would lose or forfeit their HRH styles. They have already put it into suspension.”

Despite Prince Harry's close relationship with the Queen, the fact that his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines has been offered to his brother, Prince William, is a big sign that the pair could be preparing to separate further from the Royal Fold.

Dr Anna Whitelock told the Express, "I suspect very little will change and there is no sign of Harry and Meghan wanting to return to the royal fold and all the rigmarole and responsibility that comes with that.

"The fact that Prince William has been approached to take over the role of Captain General of the Royal Marines previously held by Harry before he was stripped of his military appointments after stepping back from royal duty, suggests there is no expectation of a formal return to royal business for the Sussexes from either side."

Another royal expert, Nigel Cawthorne, suggested it could be viewed as a "snub" if the pair were to disregard their titles. After all they were a gift from the Queen when the couple married at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle back in 2018. 

The royal author told the Express, "I don’t think there is the slightest chance that the Sussexes will give up their titles.

"They were a wedding present by the Queen to the married couple and it would be a very ungrateful gesture to relinquish these titles as it would, in effect, be a snub to Harry’s grandmother the Queen."

The couple's decision to step down came as a shock at the start of 2020, with Prince Harry citing there was "really no other option" following a year of media scrutiny during Meghan's pregnancy.