00:00Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, accused of taking a swipe at late Queen Elizabeth and attempting to monetize the monarchy.
00:09Critics argue the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should also lose their titles, given their appalling treatment of the monarchy.
00:16Debate over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal titles has reignited.
00:21The issue resurfaced following King Charles' recent decision to strip his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, of the prince title in an unprecedented move.
00:30This step prompted renewed public scrutiny of Harry and Meghan's status within the monarchy.
00:35According to royal author Tom Bauer, senior palace officials and family members have long questioned the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's determination to monetize the monarchy, even after their formal exit from royal duties.
00:47The couple, he said, were resistant to dropping their HRH titles, despite the terms of the Sandringham Agreement, signed in early 2020.
00:56In what critics called an extraordinary show of defiance, the statement included a direct challenge to the monarchy's authority,
01:04asserting that the late Queen had no jurisdiction overseas over the word royal, and that if they chose to use the word, the monarch and the government were powerless.
01:12The message, which ran over 1,100 words, reportedly reflected simmering resentment toward other senior royals, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
01:24Meghan Markle was accused of cashing in on her royal status to promote her lifestyle brand.
01:30A royal source suggested the statement even contained a subtle dig at so-called minor royals, referencing Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
01:38The couple wrote that while other titled royals were permitted to hold employment outside the institution, they were being subjected to a special 12-month review period.
01:47Although Beatrice and Eugenie have retained their titles despite their father's disgrace, royal commentators say their standing has been tarnished,
01:55a reminder of how the monarchy's internal rifts continue to cast long shadows years after the Sussex's departure.
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