Both men have been absent from official royal duties for years: Harry stepped down as a senior royal in 2020 and relocated to California with Meghan Markle, while Andrew withdrew from public life after his ties to Jeffrey Epstein drew intense backlash. Their retreat from duties has fueled speculation that a future King William might strip them of their remaining honors.
Why William Can’t Remove Their Titles
According to a source who spoke to News Nation, such a move isn’t as simple as some believe.
“Everyone keeps saying William will take away Andrew and Harry’s titles when he becomes king, but he literally can’t do that without an act of Parliament,” the insider explained. “There is absolutely no way William would do that as it would bring even more attention to the issues with them both.”
Under current constitutional law, royal titles like “Duke of Sussex” and “Duke of York” can be granted by the monarch but not revoked at a king’s personal discretion. Removing them would require passing new legislation through both Houses of Parliament — a lengthy, politically sensitive process likely to stir public debate and renewed media focus.
King Charles’s Position
The source also noted King Charles’s stance on the matter: “There is no way Charles would do it.” Royal observers believe the King has little interest in reigniting controversy, particularly as the monarchy navigates ongoing challenges — including his own health concerns and a shrinking number of working royals.
Titles Remain Safe for Now
For the foreseeable future, both Harry and Andrew appear secure in their titles. Despite strained relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family, the political and public complications involved in removing these honors make such a move highly unlikely. As the insider implied, the cost of doing so — in attention and controversy — may far outweigh any perceived benefit.
