The UK Parliament is currently engaged in a heated debate over whether to strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, of their royal titles. This controversial move comes amidst growing tensions between the monarchy and the rising opposition Labour Party, whose recent surge in the polls has many in Westminster worried.
The catalyst for this parliamentary showdown was a series of controversial moves by the royal couple that many view as overstepping the traditional apolitical role of the crown. From Harry and Meghan’s public comments on social and political issues to their high-profile meeting with Labour leader Keir Starmer, the pair have faced criticism for veering into the realm of party politics. Now, some members of Parliament are arguing that enough is enough and that their royal titles should be revoked.
Labour MP Emily Thornberry, for example, contends that the monarchy must remain strictly neutral, particularly in the run-up to a general election. She and her Labour colleagues argue that by aligning themselves so closely with the opposition, Harry and Meghan are undermining the very institution they are supposed to represent. They point to polling data showing a majority of Britons now support this course of action, particularly among traditional conservative voters disgruntled by what they see as the Royals’ leftward tilt.
However, the proposal faces stiff resistance from the Tory benches, with several MPs arguing that such a move would set a dangerous constitutional precedent. Tory backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg, for instance, thundered that the idea of Parliament simply rescinding titles granted by the Queen is “absurd” and akin to the actions of a “banana republic.” Rees-Mogg and his allies contend that the solution is not to punish the royal couple, but rather to ensure the monarchy maintains a safe distance from party politics going forward.
Despite the ongoing debate, no final decision has been reached, with the government promising to carefully consider all options. But the mere fact that such an extraordinary proceeding took place at all is a testament to the combustible state of royal-political relations in modern Britain. As the country hurtles towards a potentially historic election, the future of the monarchy itself may hang in the balance, with Harry and Meghan at the center of this high-stakes drama.
