King Charles III is facing renewed calls to act against Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aftertheir unofficial tour of Australia, with broadcasterPiers Morganarguing that the couple should lose their royal titles under what he described as an emerging'Andrew rule.'
Harry and Meghan, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and now live in California, spent four days visiting Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra earlier this month. Although the trip was described as private, critics argued thattheir continued use of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex titlesblurred the line between private life and royal branding.
The phrase 'Andrew rule' is Morgan's shorthand for the precedent set byPrince Andrew's fall from grace. OnPiers Morgan Uncensored, he argued that Andrew's loss of titles and patronages created an 'established mechanism' for dealing with royals who, in his words, damage the reputation of the monarchy.
Morgan was careful to say he viewed Andrew's conduct as far worse than anything Harry and Meghan had done. 'I've always made it clear that Andrew's offenses to me are far more egregious than anything Harry and Meghan have done,' he said. 'I've never said anything different, and I wouldn't say that now.'
Even so, he argued that the principle should apply more broadly. In his view, if a royal is seen to 'dishonor and disrespect the reputation of the institution of the monarchy or the royal family,' there is now a precedent for stripping titles.
There is no public indication from Buckingham Palace that any such move is under consideration. No official statement has been issued about Harry and Meghan's Australia trip or their Sussex titles, so the 'Andrew rule' remains a media talking point rather than a declared royal policy.
The immediate trigger was Morgan's debate with historian Tessa Dunlop over how Harry and Meghan presented themselves during their Australia visit. Dunlop argued thatMeghan had taken a relatively informal approach, reportedly telling people to 'call me Meg' rather than insisting on her title.
'I find it honest what they are doing in Australia. You may find it vulgar. Finally she said "call me Meg". She didn't even demand to be introduced as Duchess,' Dunlop said.
Morgan was unmoved. He argued that even a looser tone still leaned on royal branding and said the Sussex title should no longer be used in public by a couple who left the working royal fold. 'Okay, let's quit the Duchess b-------. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex? No, I'm from Sussex. Piss off!' he said.
Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, have continued to use their Sussex titles since stepping back from royal duties. Critics say that creates confusion about whether they are acting as private citizens or semi-official royal figures, while supporters argue the titles remain legally theirs.
Source: International Business Times UK
