'Prince Harry and Meghan don't represent Sussex - strip them of their titles'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced new calls to have their royal titles stripped after reportedly showing "no interest in Sussex" - and we asked Mirror readers to share their thoughts. It comes after the Duke and Duchess failed to acknowledge Sussex Day, which annually takes place on June 16 and celebrates the county's heritage and culture.
The former royals, who have previously not marked the occasion, are reported to have visited the county just once since receiving their titles in 2018 - a visit that lasted only six hours. Harry and Meghan lost their HRH styles in 2020 after stepping down from royal duties, but the couple retained their Sussex titles - a decision that has drawn criticism from some local residents due to their lack of involvement with the county.
Former Sussex MP Tim Loughton has defended calls for the former royals to be stripped of their titles, as he told MailOnline: "Yet again the interest of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the county from which they continue to use their title has been underwhelming to say the least. It is time we had a Duke of Sussex who has a genuine interest in our County, and wishing Sussex residents a happy Sussex Day is hardly a tall order.'
He continued: "They rarely visited Sussex even before they abandoned the UK for California and on our County Day they have again shown no interest in Sussex". Following the renewed calls, we asked Mirror readers if they think the Duke and Duchess should be stripped of their titles, and a whopping 94 percent said 'yes'.
Around 5,056 people took part in our poll and a hefty 4,775 selected the option 'Yes - They have stepped down as senior royals'. Sharing their thoughts in the comments section, one reader voiced: "Absolutely! I am a Royalist to my marrow and when they first stepped back, saying they wanted to live private lives, I sort of understood that. But they've never stopped attacking the Royal Family in particularly pernicious ways which were contemptible - certainly not private! And they have spent exactly 6 hours in Sussex so clearly that's meaningless to them but it's my much loved home county - there's no reason for them to hold that title. So let's remove it!"
A second echoed: "Harry and Meghan do not represent the county of Sussex. They should not have a title like Duke and Duchess. The only explanation why this couple is still holding their noble titles is the uncertainty of KC."
"Harry and Meghan years ago stopped being working Royals, then betrayed Harry's family with docudrama, books, articles and faux royal trips - they've made hundreds millions off the titles. It's enough. Let them go and be the regular folks they say they are," wrote a third.
Another added: "100% They wanted out so they should lose all titles, after everything they have done." While a fifth posted: "They are clearly disrespectful of the county of Sussex. Time action was taken over this slight."
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As the Duke of Sussex settles down to life in the US alongside Meghan Markle, the Mirror has launched its very own Royal WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the UK's most famous family.
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We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Meanwhile, five percent selected the poll option 'No - They are still members of the Royal Family', as one reader defended: "The fact remains that Harry and Meghan have not done anything worthy of having their titles removed. The Sussexes were critical of the Royal Family and they have accused William of lying to the British public [and rightly so] and thereby encouraging the hatred that is seen in the press, but this is not treason."
Another agreed: "The Queen awarded them their titles. It was Harry's birthright for life. Do all the Lords and dames lose their titles?" While a third wrote: "Nothing can be done about the titles, they are theirs to keep, it doesn't matter how long you go about it nothing is going to change, Prince Harry was born a prince, that will never change, and the Sussex title was given to them by the Queen."
The couple were granted the title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex by the late Queen Elizabeth following their 2018 wedding, with Meghan becoming the first Duchess of Sussex in history, and Harry being the second person to ever hold the title of Duke of Sussex. Do you think Harry and Meghan should be stripped of their Sussex titles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and you can still vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
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