The official webpage dedicated to Prince Harry within the confines of the website for the royal family has recently experienced a notable alteration.
Specifically, the adjustments involved the deliberate removal of all references pertaining to his former designation as “His Royal Highness.” This intriguing development came to the forefront following a report by Express, which highlighted on Friday that Prince Harry’s bio still bore the “His Royal Highness” title.
However, a subsequent investigation on Tuesday uncovered that the webpage had undergone a revision, effectively expunging the two instances where the aforementioned title had been mentioned. This transformation in the portrayal of Prince Harry’s identity within the digital realm of the royal family’s website could potentially signify a broader shift in his public representation and the emphasis on his royal affiliations.
Amidst a series of intriguing developments, it has come to light that both references in question were intrinsically linked to Prince Harry’s concerted efforts in 2016 to enhance awareness about the critical issue of HIV/AIDS. However, the narrative has now taken a new turn since these references have been substituted with the designations “the Duke” or “the Duke of Sussex.”
Prince Harry did not attain this noble title until his matrimonial union with Meghan Markle in May 2018, a distinction bestowed upon him by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth.
Interestingly, it has been observed that the royal family’s official website has not undergone a comprehensive update in the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s demise. Express highlighted this observation recently, underscoring that Queen Elizabeth’s reference as the reigning monarch still persisted. Similarly, the title “the Prince of Wales” continued to be attributed to King Charles, while “the Duchess of Cornwall” designation remained ascribed to Queen Camilla.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Transition from Royal Roles
The revelations concerning Prince Harry and Meghan’s titles came swiftly after the couple’s announcement of stepping away from their roles as active members of the royal family in 2020.
After the Sandringham Summit, during which Prince Harry engaged in discussions with Queen Elizabeth, the then-Prince Charles, and Prince William regarding his transformative path, Buckingham Palace made a notable declaration: “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
This proclamation implied that while Prince Harry and Meghan would retain their formal titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, their utilization of the “HRH” honorific would be relinquished, in sync with their transition away from royal duties. Consequently, Prince Harry adopted the moniker “Harry, the Duke of Sussex,” while Meghan embraced her new identity as “Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.” A notable shift occurred as well, as the couple often chose to introduce themselves in more familiar terms as “Harry” and “Meghan,” reflecting their desire for a more relatable public image.
Prince Harry’s place within the royal succession remained unaffected. Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth in September, he retained his position as fifth in line to the throne, trailing behind his brother Prince William and William’s three offspring with Kate Middleton: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Harry’s and Meghan’s own children, their 4-year-old son Prince Archie and 2-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet, occupy positions within the line of succession, further solidifying the intricate interplay of titles, transition, and lineage within the royal landscape.