Prince William is said to be contemplating stripping his younger brother Prince Harry and sister-in-law Meghan Markle of their “His/Her Royal Highness” (HRH) titles when he becomes king. The decision, an insider told The Daily Beast, is a reaction to Meghan’s recent use of her royal title to promote personal business endeavors, a breach of a previous arrangement with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The scandal flared up again after Meghan used her title on a high-end gift basket she sent to podcast host Jamie Kern Lima, according to reports. The basket contained a ‘homemade strawberry sauce’ with a card saying: “With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
This move could have violated an agreement made in 2020, when Harry and Meghan resigned as senior royals. Then, Queen Elizabeth II had asked the couple not to use their HRH titles for business purposes.
The British royal family has a rigid hierarchical organization with different titles signifying offices, ranks, and privileges. Here is the list of most important royal and noble titles along with their implications:
Heads of the Monarchy
King / Queen
These roles are owned by the sovereign monarchs, who are ceremonial heads of state with the UK’s constitutional monarchy. Although they are powerless in legislation, they represent national tradition and identity. Succession is hereditary, not matter the gender, following a 2011 reform. When Queen Elizabeth II broke the record with a 70-year reign, her son became King Charles III on May 6, 2023.
Queen Consort
Only a king’s wife may take the title ‘Queen Consort’, which supports the royal lineage. This is why Prince Philip was never king, despite his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II. Camilla became Queen Consort upon King Charles III’s accession.
Queen Mother
This is an honorific title for a widowed queen who is the mother of the reigning sovereign. It was most notably borne by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the mother of Queen Elizabeth II.
Heirs and Their Spouses
Prince / Princess of Wales
The title ‘Prince of Wales’ is traditionally given to the heir apparent, usually the monarch’s eldest son. The wife is entitled to the title ‘Princess of Wales’ on marriage. While Camilla did not employ this title in respect of Princess Diana, who had passed away, it has now been passed on to Prince William and his wife, Kate.
Prince / Princess
These titles are bestowed on children and grandchildren of reigning monarchs. In a decree issued in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II had claimed that all the children of Prince William (then Duke of Cambridge) would be styled as princes and princesses. Recently, Prince Harry and Meghan’s kids were formally upgraded to ‘Prince Archie’ and ‘Princess Lilibet’ once Charles took the throne. The pair commented, “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch,” and continued, “This has been resolved some time now in accordance with Buckingham Palace.”
Peerage and Noble Ranks
Duke / Duchess
The dukedom is the highest title in the British nobility, and the order goes marquess, earl, viscount, and baron. It may be inherited or conferred by the monarch. Both Prince William and Prince Harry were awarded dukedoms by Queen Elizabeth II on their weddings: Cambridge and Sussex, respectively.
Marquess / Marchioness (or Marquise)
A marquess ranks just below a duke and is usually not of royal blood. Traditionally, they governed border lands. Their female equivalent is marchioness or marquise. Sarah Rose Hanbury, the wife of David Cholmondeley, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, is a good example.
Earl / Countess
This middle-ranking noble title is normally conferred on royal counselors or close followers. It’s also hereditary and usually linked with the administration of counties.
Viscount / Viscountess
Below an earl in rank, a viscount is traditionally the earl’s deputy. Often, the title is passed to an earl’s child. For instance, James, Viscount Severn,, son of Prince Edward was titled with Queen Elizabeth II’s approval, despite being eligible to be a prince.
Baron / Baroness
Baron and baroness have the lowest level in the peerage. Though above ‘lord’ or ‘lady’, the title is not necessarily associated with noble birth and can be awarded by royal authority, usually at the suggestion of the Prime Minister.
Courtesy and Honorific Titles
Lord / Lady
These are not official titles of nobility but are used as courtesy titles for children of certain peers (such as barons, earls, or viscounts). They indicate status rather than legal rank. One example is Lady Amelia Spencer, Princess Diana’s niece.
Sir
‘Sir’ is often used for knights and sometimes for male royals when they are spoken to formally after ‘Your Royal Highness’. Good examples include Sir Elton John.
Dame
The female counterpart to ‘Sir’, this honor is bestowed upon women who have given a lot back to society, like Dame Judi Dench. Although ‘Dame’ and ‘Lady’ can have equal value in society, their histories and application are different.
