Prince Harry, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 for a life in California, has reportedly sought to reinstate the “His Royal Highness” (HRH) title for himself and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. According to sources, Harry has even suggested he would “forgive” the royal family if Meghan could use the HRH title without restrictions, a move perceived as an attempt to legitimize their commercial ventures. However, King Charles III and Prince William have firmly rejected this request, upholding the late Queen Elizabeth II’s decision to strip the couple of their HRH titles.

The HRH designation, a symbol of royal duty and status, was removed from Harry and Meghan when they chose to leave their roles as senior royals, a decision made collectively by Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles (then Prince of Wales), and Prince William. Despite a year-long review period offered to reconsider their exit, the couple pursued high-profile media projects, including Netflix deals, which solidified the monarchy’s stance. Harry’s reported attempt to invoke the memory of his mother, Princess Diana—who also lost her HRH title after her divorce—has been met with skepticism, as Diana’s circumstances as the mother of a future king differ significantly from Meghan’s.

King Charles and Prince William remain resolute, with no indication of revisiting the decision. Harry’s brief visit to his father following Charles’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year did not lead to reconciliation or concessions. The monarchy, led by Charles as king and William as heir, continues to function without the Sussexes, who are now fifth and sixth in the line of succession. The palace’s position is clear: HRH titles are tied to active royal duties, not personal negotiations or commercial branding.

Harry’s push for the titles appears to be driven by a desire to ease restrictions on Meghan’s business ventures, which have occasionally referenced their royal connections. However, the monarchy views these titles as non-negotiable symbols of duty, not tools for personal gain. With Queen Elizabeth II’s decision standing firm, Charles and William are prioritizing the institution’s credibility over Harry’s requests, signaling that the Sussexes’ vision of a modernized monarchy will not override established royal protocol.