The prospect of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children taking on formal roles within the British monarchy appears increasingly remote, according to observers of the royal family. Despite previous suggestions that the couple might leave the door open for Archie and Lilibet to choose a royal life, significant obstacles are seen as standing in their way.
A primary factor cited is the children’s upbringing. Having been raised in the United States, they are described as having little to no exposure to the traditions, duties, and expectations inherent to life as a working royal. This distance from the institution, both geographically and culturally, is viewed as a major barrier to any future integration.
Further complicating the matter is the path taken by their parents. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step back from royal duties and their subsequent public criticisms of the monarchy are seen as having fundamentally altered the relationship. Some commentators question the logic of the couple then expecting royal careers for their offspring, given their own highly publicized departure from “The Firm.”
The issue of titles also remains a point of contention. While it has been reported that Prince Harry desires to retain the “His/Her Royal Highness” (HRH) style for his children to preserve their future options, this is reportedly a source of friction. Insiders suggest there is an expectation that the children, following their parents’ example, should not use the HRH titles. There is speculation that a future monarch, such as Prince William, could formally restrict the use of such styles to streamline the monarchy and clarify their use for the direct line of succession.
Ultimately, the consensus among royal watchers is that the children’s American upbringing, combined with the very public circumstances of their parents’ exit, makes a future as working royals an unlikely scenario. Any potential for such roles is widely described as negligible, with the focus instead remaining on the ongoing tensions between the Sussex household and the royal institution.
