According to insiders, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex want Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, to retain their royal titles in case they choose to support the monarchy when they grow up.

The couple stepped back from official duties in 2020. However, they reportedly believe their children should have the freedom to decide their own roles.

But royal commentators and former palace insiders have blasted the move as contradictory and opportunistic.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle slammed for ‘decision about Archie and Lilibet’

“I really don’t understand why, having extricated themselves from a life they did not enjoy and in which Harry has publicly spoken of ‘feeling trapped,’ they want to give their children the option of re-joining,” royal expert Jennie Bond told The Mirror. “It makes no sense.”

“Who knows what’s going to happen in the future? But it’s very hard to see how two children who are clearly now more American than British would want to change their whole way of life and become working members of the royal family.”

Meghan, 43, and Harry, 40, reportedly experienced a frustrating delay in obtaining British passports for their children.

According to insiders, the couple suspected it was due to the inclusion of their royal titles on the application forms.

The children became a prince and princess in 2022 following the accession of King Charles. Their titles were first publicly used in March 2023 when the Sussexes announced Lilibet’s christening.

Since then, critics have questioned why the couple continue to use those titles while simultaneously criticising the institution that bestowed them.

Harry and Meghan titles

Adding fuel to the fire, earlier this year, Meghan was accused of breaching the terms of the couple’s exit agreement by using her HRH title on a gift basket sent to entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima.

A monogrammed card in the basket read: “With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”

While Meghan’s team claimed it was a “personal gift” and not a commercial act, it reignited calls for the monarchy to strip the Sussexes of their remaining titles.

Under the terms of their 2020 Sandringham agreement with the palace, Meghan and Harry retained their HRH titles. However, they agreed not to use them in any official capacity.

Reports have also surfaced that Harry considered changing the family name to Spencer – his mother Princess Diana’s maiden name. It reportedly came about after the issue surrounding Archie and Lilibet’s passports.

However, Harry was reportedly advised against it by his uncle and Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer. However, the idea itself was seen by some as a symbolic distancing from the Windsor name and its legacy.

“I think Harry has always been more Spencer than Windsor,” said Jennie. “But changing his name would be a final nail in the coffin of his relationship with his father and brother. It would amount to a public declaration that he no longer saw himself as part of the royal family.”

With tensions still simmering, critics say the Sussexes can’t have it both ways.