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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry married on May 19, 2018 and were granted the titled Duke and Duchess of Sussex by the Queen. The wedding which was televised and live streamed around the world, took place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and had some 800 guests in attendance.

Following her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan’s full name is Rachel Meghan Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex.

But as of March 31, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no longer senior members of the Royal Family.

The couple chose to step down from their roles to live a more private and financially independent life with their young son Archie Harrison.

In a statement on January 8, Meghan and Harry announced: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

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“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”

In agreement with the Queen, the couple later announced they would continue to support the Queen albeit in a more limited capacity.

They also agreed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will retain their “HRH” prefix, thereby formally remaining known as His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex.

However, Meghan and Harry will no longer actively use their HRH titles as they will no longer be working members of the family as of Spring 2020.

A statement on the couple’s Sussex Royal website added: “As the grandson of Her Majesty and second son of The Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex remains sixth in line to the throne of The British Monarchy and the Order of Precedence is unchanged.

“It was agreed that The Duke and Duchess will no longer be able to formally carry out ‘official duties’ for The Queen or represent The Commonwealth, but they will, however, be allowed to maintain their patronages (including those that are classified as ‘royal’ patronages).”

In relation to the military, Prince Harry will retain his ranks.

This includes the rank of Major, and honorary ranks of Lieutenant Commander, and Squadron Leader.

However, the Duke’s official military appointments will not be used as they are in the gift of the Sovereign.

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Can a royal title be taken away?

Royal titles can be removed, however, it is rare and has not been seen in decades.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will keep their titles.

British peerages and royal titles can be taken away under the Titles Deprivation Act 1917.

This Act of Parliament authorised enemies of the United Kingdom during the First World War to be deprived of their British peerages and royal titles.

The British Royal Family was closely related to many of the royal and princely families of Germany.

In particular, when Victoria became Queen in 1837, the Kingdom of Hanover, which had been in personal union with the British crown for over a century, passed to her uncle the Duke of Cumberland, who also retained his British titles and princely rank.

Queen Victoria similarly married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, whose German titles passed to the descendants of their youngest son Leopold, Duke of Albany.

During World War I, both Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Ernest Augustus, former Crown Prince of Hanover were British princes and dukes, even while they were also officers in the German Army.

But by King George V’s order in Council of March 28, 1919, the following persons were deprived of their titles:

• His Royal Highness Charles Edward, Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence and Baron Arklow
• His Royal Highness Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, Earl of Armagh
• His Royal Highness Ernest Augustus (Duke of Brunswick), Prince of Great Britain and Ireland (son and heir-apparent of the Duke of Cumberland)
• Henry, Viscount Taaffe of Corren and Baron of Ballymote

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