King Charles III and his son Prince William considered stripping Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles following the couple's 2024 visit to Nigeria, according to royal expert Tom Quinn. The expert said both men were furious that the couple conducted themselves in the country as though they were active members of the royal family.
Harry and Meghan stepped down from senior royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States. Despite this, their three-day Nigeria visit in May 2024 included receptions, traditional dances, school visits and charity engagements, activities that resembled an official royal tour.
The trip took place as Nigeria expressed interest in hosting the Invictus Games, the sporting initiative Harry founded for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans. The next Games are scheduled for Birmingham in 2027.
In an interview with the British newspaper The Mirror in May 2024, after the couple returned to their Montecito, California home, Quinn described the reaction from senior royals to the visit.
"William is absolutely furious and determined to find a way to stop this happening in future," the expert said. According to him, "King Charles was angrier than anyone has ever seen him."
Quinn added that the King and his son held lengthy discussions about the possibility of removing Harry and Meghan's Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles. However, both feared the move would actually benefit the couple and give them another opportunity to attack the royal family.
According to the expert, even without the formal titles, Harry and Meghan could continue their travels around the world and be warmly received in the countries they visit. "The last thing they want is to give the rebel royals another reason to complain," he explained.
The couple are no longer permitted to use the "His Royal Highness" and "Her Royal Highness" styles, but they remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Relations between Harry and William also remain strained, with the two reported to have been estranged since 2022. However, Harry recently expressed hope for reconciliation between the brothers.
In an interview on the GQ magazine podcast, when asked about the possibility of repairing relations with his brother, Harry replied: "I want it to work out." He went on to emphasize that given everything happening in the world, "the most important thing is to reconcile. That's the central point."
In late August 2026, Harry and Meghan moved back to Britain with Archie and Lilibet. The children are enrolled in British schools.
The family lives in a private, non-royal residence outside London. They kept their Montecito home and their property in Portugal.
The move doesn’t change their status. They remain non-working members of the royal family.
