Recent online reports have circulated claims suggesting that King Charles III issued a formal decree removing Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, from all royal titles and from the Line of Succession. However, as of the latest official updates from Buckingham Palace and the UK government, no such decree has been issued.
There has been no announcement of new Letters Patent revoking Prince Harry’s peerage, princely title, or place in the Line of Succession. Official royal communications remain the authoritative source for changes of this magnitude.
This article explains what is publicly confirmed, how royal titles can legally be altered, and what constitutional law says about succession.
Prince Harry’s Current Titles
Prince Harry was born Prince Henry Charles Albert David on 15 September 1984. As the son of King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) and Diana, Princess of Wales, he has held the title of Prince since birth.
On 19 May 2018, upon his marriage to Meghan Markle, Queen Elizabeth II granted him the peerage titles:
-
Duke of Sussex
-
Earl of Dumbarton
-
Baron Kilkeel
These titles were conferred through Letters Patent issued by the sovereign, a formal legal instrument used to grant or amend royal titles.
In January 2020, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would step back from senior royal duties. A statement issued on 18 January 2020 clarified that they would no longer use the style “His Royal Highness” and “Her Royal Highness” in practice, although they technically retain those styles.
Importantly, no official statement has indicated that these titles have been revoked.
Can a Monarch Remove Royal Titles?
The question of whether a British monarch can remove peerages or princely titles is governed by constitutional law and precedent.
Peerages (Such as Duke of Sussex)
Peerage titles are generally hereditary dignities created by the sovereign. However, removing a peerage is not straightforward.
Under the Titles Deprivation Act 1917, Parliament has the authority to deprive individuals of British peerages under specific circumstances, primarily relating to wartime actions against the United Kingdom. This process requires parliamentary approval and is not executed solely at the monarch’s discretion.
Legal scholars have noted that removing a peerage outside the 1917 Act would likely require legislation passed by Parliament.
Princely Title (“Prince”)
The title of “Prince” is governed by Letters Patent. Historically, monarchs have issued Letters Patent to define who may hold the style of “Prince” and “Princess.”
For example:
-
King George V issued Letters Patent in 1917 restricting princely titles.
-
Queen Elizabeth II issued Letters Patent in 2012 adjusting titles for the children of the Prince of Wales.
In theory, a monarch could issue new Letters Patent modifying styles. However, removing a prince’s title retroactively or striking someone from succession would raise significant constitutional and political considerations.
No such Letters Patent have been announced.
The Line of Succession
The Line of Succession to the British throne is determined by:
-
The Act of Settlement 1701
-
The Bill of Rights 1689
-
The Succession to the Crown Act 2013
Changes to succession law require parliamentary legislation. The Succession to the Crown Act 2013, for example, required approval across multiple Commonwealth realms.
As of the official website of the British Royal Family, Prince Harry remains listed in the Line of Succession.
Removing someone from the Line of Succession would require an Act of Parliament. It cannot be done unilaterally by royal decree.
No Evidence of a “Midnight Decree”
Claims circulating online about a document titled “Letters Patent (Revocation of Royal Status and Associated Dignities) 2025” have not been substantiated by:
-
Buckingham Palace
-
The Privy Council
-
The UK Parliament
-
The London Gazette
Significant constitutional changes are publicly recorded in official registers. As of the latest available records, no such instrument has been published.
Similarly, there has been no official confirmation of any financial penalties, repayment orders, or legal restrictions placed on Prince Harry beyond arrangements agreed upon during the 2020 transition.
Public Appearances and Private Conduct
Public commentary occasionally references Prince Harry’s personal life in the United States. However, Buckingham Palace does not issue statements regarding private social activities unless they directly involve official duties or constitutional matters.
As of now, there are no verified reports from reputable UK outlets confirming any disciplinary action tied to specific personal incidents.
Responsible reporting requires distinguishing between viral social media claims and confirmed constitutional actions.
How Major Royal Changes Are Announced
When significant changes occur within the Royal Family, they are typically communicated through:
-
Official Buckingham Palace statements
-
The Royal Family website
-
The London Gazette
-
Parliamentary records
-
Privy Council publications
Examples include:
-
The 2020 statement regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping back from royal duties
-
The 2022 accession proclamation following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing
-
Official updates regarding patronages and military affiliations
No comparable announcement regarding removal of Prince Harry’s titles has been issued.
Current Status Summary
As of the most recent official information:
-
Prince Harry retains the title Duke of Sussex.
-
He remains a prince by birth.
-
He is listed in the Line of Succession.
-
He does not use the style “HRH” in practice, per the 2020 agreement.
-
No official decree has revoked his titles.
Conclusion
There is no verified evidence that King Charles III has stripped Prince Harry of all titles or removed him from the Line of Succession. Constitutional changes of that scale require formal legal procedures and public documentation.
While public debate surrounding the Royal Family continues, official records remain clear: no historic midnight decree has been issued.