Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been the subjects of intense and unrelenting scrutiny since, well, they first got together.
Choosing to lead their own lives away from the spotlight that comes with royal duties has now led to a petition from royal traditionalists to strip the couple of their titles.
WATCH: Prince harry admits he is ashamed of how he handle Meghan’s mental health battle.
The petition, calling for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to voluntarily give up their royal titles has amassed over 45,000 signatures so far.
The formal movement is being spearheaded by socialite Lady Colin Campbell, an outspoken critic of the couple and author of the book Meghan and Harry: The Real Story.
Of the belief the couple is “damaging the institution of the monarchy” Lady Colin is asking the royal couple to relinquish their titles as “the right thing to do”, saving The Queen from having to strip them of their namesakes.
The change.org petition reads: “The purpose is to invite Prince Harry to voluntarily ask The Queen to put his royal style, titles and rank into abeyance, thereby freeing him from the diplomatic, political and constitutional constraints that are an inevitable part of royal rank, and further freeing him from the constitutional conflicts which his beliefs are creating, with all their implications at home and abroad, in particular in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, where his articulated beliefs are in open conflict with the accepted tenets of both the United Kingdom and American Constitutions.”
In an official statement shared to the royal family’s website in January 2020, it was announced that Harry and Meghan were stepping back from their royal duties – a move which has colloquially come to be known as “Megxit”.
“With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.” the statement read.
“The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
The press release also stipulated that Harry and Meghan would “no longer receive public funds for Royal duties”.
Soon after, the couple made the move to the U.S. where they now reside with their son, Archie.
