Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth are said to have had a very close relationship since the untimely death of Princess Diana in 1997. Reports have it that Her Majesty stood by Harry’s side during the darkest days of his life.
However, things reportedly changed after Prince Harry, together with Meghan Markle decided to step back from his senior royal roles and fly off to the United States to start a new life with his family. The idea of the Duke of Sussex leaving the Firm reportedly did not sit well with Queen Elizabeth and it allegedly exacerbated the couple’s strained relationship s with the other members of the royal family.
Prince Harry stopped enjoying the perks that come with his former title and receiving support from the British government since his infamous Megxit in January 2020. Now, reports have it that Queen Elizabeth is considering stripping Meghan Markle’s husband of another royal title. Keep on reading to know more details.
Palace To Remove Prince Harry Counselor Of State?
Officials at the Buckingham Palace are said to be trying to remove both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew as Counsellors of State, which allows them to fill in for Queen Elizabeth in her royal duties if she is unable to do so. The only two remaining members of the royal family who hold the said title are Prince Charles and Prince William.
Reports have it that this is yet another blow for Prince Harry, who decided to ditch the royal life for good in an attempt to become financially independent with his wife, Meghan Markle. The Duke of Sussex is also missing out on a special honor in the upcoming Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth after his military titles were removed.
Prince Harry was reportedly devastated after the palace stripped off his military titles following his announcement to depart from the Firm. It was even claimed that the father of Archie and Lilibet only agreed to have a bombshell interview, alongside Meghan Markle, with Oprah Winfrey after his military titles were taken from him.
An unnamed insider told Daily Mail that Buckingham Palace focuses on removing Prince Andrew as a Counsellor. It, reportedly, stated:
“It is a genuine problem that the Palace is looking to address. Can you imagine the Duke of York having to sign official documents, for example, because the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge were both abroad, and the Queen became ill? It’s not an exaggeration to say it could put the monarchy in jeopardy. There could be events later this year which make such a change necessary.”
Despite this, other sources suggested that Prince Harry and Prince Andrew’s titles would not be taken from them without an Act of Parliament being passed first. Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on these claims.
Prince Harry Warned Against Using Police Protection
Meanwhile, Amber Melville-Brown has warned Prince Harry that challenging the decision of the Home Office to revoke his family’s police protection may not be good for his brand. The global head of reputation at law firm Withers said the legal action may even give more fuel to the detractors of the Duke of Sussex, adding that the move also shows the British police and security are “stellar.”
Talking to Newsweek, Amber said:
“While the prodigal son is welcome in his home country, asking for the British police and security services to be served up to him as the fatted calf, even if he foots the bill, is not a great brand-building move. This legal action may give detractors yet further opportunity to attack Prince Harry for actions which draw negative media attention when the royal family least needs it. Conversely it serves as some unexpected free advertising and positive publicity for the British police force and security services which on the Prince’s own argument are so stellar as to be incapable of replication for love nor money.”
Most, if not all, royal followers are aware that legal representatives of Prince Harry previously claimed the Duke of Sussex feels unsafe and needs police protection in order for him to return to the U.K. The private security of Meghan Markle’s husband and their family are said to be insufficient as they are not allowed to carry firearms in Britain.
Prince Harry’s team also stated that the private security team would not match the U.K. police protection, who would have access to local intelligence and have legal jurisdiction. It was even stated that the British police provide lesser support to private bodyguards.
To recall, Prince Harry lost his public-funded security after stepping down from his senior royal roles in 2020. The better half of Meghan Markle has offered to privately pay for police protection in order for him and his family to safely return to Britain.
Prince Harry’s statement came after the paparazzi chased him during a charity event last year in London. Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on these reports.