(Scypre.com) – A report from The Guardian has revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle experienced significant delays—nearly six months instead of the typical three weeks—when applying for British passports for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The couple reportedly suspected King Charles III deliberately stalled the process due to objections over the official use of their children’s “HRH” (His/Her Royal Highness) titles .
According to insiders, the passport applications included both the Sussex surname and “HRH” titles. Senior government officials allegedly resisted issuing the documents, fearing they would legally affirm the royal styles. The passports were finally issued after lawyers representing the Sussexes threatened a GDPR-based legal action—potentially exposing internal communications—prompting a swift response from the Home Office.
A friend close to the Sussexes told The Guardian that “the King hadn’t wanted Archie and Lili to carry the titles”, suggesting royal discomfort with granting legal recognition of the titles via passports. The passports were ultimately granted shortly after the legal threat was made.
Buckingham Palace has strongly denied any involvement from King Charles or his aides in delaying the passports, dismissing suggestions of internal influence. The Home Office has similarly remained silent on the matter.
In their frustration, Harry and Meghan even explored changing their family name to “Spencer”—Princess Diana’s maiden name. Harry reportedly consulted with his uncle, Earl Charles Spencer, before ultimately deciding against the move due to anticipated controversy and legal hurdles.
The children received their royal titles following King Charles’s accession to the throne in 2022. Despite Harry and Meghan stepping back from official duties in 2020 and relinquishing the public use of “HRH,” their children are still afforded titles by birthright, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
However, officials reportedly resisted formalizing this through passport documentation, viewing it as a legal validation of the styles.
Future Implications:
Family Relations: This incident highlights ongoing tensions and mistrust between the Sussexes and the royal establishment—particularly concerning succession and ceremonial roles.
Succession Strategy: Harry aims to preserve the option for his children to be working royals in the future, and securing formal recognition of their titles was a critical step.
Public Perception: The palace’s denial underscores a low-trust environment and broad implications for transparency within the monarchy.
What began as a routine bureaucratic delay has escalated into a potential flashpoint in the long-standing rift between Harry, Meghan, and the Crown. Whether this will serve as a catalyst for dialogue—or further deepen the divide—remains uncertain. What is clear is that even symbolic matters like children’s passport details can become battlegrounds in a fractured family dynamic.