Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face calls to be stripped of royal titles for failing to mark 'Sussex Day'
MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been facing flak for allegedly failing to show due respect to the county from which they got their ‘Sussex’ titles.
The former ‘Suits’ star is the first Duchess of Sussex in history, while her husband is only the second Duke of Sussex.
The late Queen Elizabeth II gave Meghan and Harry the dukedom of Sussex on the day of their wedding in May 2018.
When the pair visited in October 2018, they were cheered on the streets of Chichester, Bognor Regis, Brighton, and Peacehaven during a busy day of engagements. However, this was the only time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the county.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fail to celebrate ‘Sussex Day’
Annually, on June 16, the southern county celebrates Sussex Day to commemorate the region's rich historical and cultural tapestry.
However, the Duke and Duchess, who are known for their social media presence, were utterly silent on the day of the annual celebration.
Instead, Meghan took to Instagram to announce the date of her new As Ever merchandise, and just hours before, Harry marked Germany's first Veterans Day with a video message showcasing his fluency in German.
Reflecting on their silence, Former Sussex MP Tim Loughton told The Daily Mail that the couple has once again failed to demonstrate respect for Sussex and has "no interest" in it, thus they should be stripped of the title.
"Yet again, the interest of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the county from which they continue to use their title has been underwhelming to say the least," the former MP said. “It is time we had a Duke of Sussex who has a genuine interest in our County, and wishing Sussex residents a happy Sussex Day is hardly a tall order.”
“They rarely visited Sussex even before they abandoned the UK for California, and on our County Day today, they have again shown no interest in Sussex,” he added.
Internet bashes Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for snubbing the ‘Sussex day’
Many internet users joined former Sussex MP Tim Loughton’s calls to strip Meghan Markle and Prince Harry of their titles.
“So it is now obvious the titles should GO - they have no links to Sussex, a street cat in Sussex has more decorum, dignity, family values and manners than that creature,” one user commented under Daily Mail’s article.
“Of course! Even if it was not sincere just an acknowledgement would have been polite....they are neither. An embarrassment to family and country!” a second user slammed.
“Delusions of grandeur luv!” a third user bashed, while a fourth one commented “She wants to use the name though - when it 'Suits.'”
“They accepted the titles under false pretences, they aren’t working royals, how can they keep holding on to the titles, they lack even a thread of integrity,” one more said.
“I doubt very much the pair could point to the County of Sussex on a map containing just the County of Sussex,” another one wrote.
Meghan Markle’s possessiveness of her ‘Sussex’ title
This came just a few months after the ‘Dater’s Handbook’ actor appeared possessive of her ‘Sussex’ title as she corrected her celebrity friend Mindy Kaling in an awkward moment on her new Netflix cookery show.
In episode two of ‘With Love, Meghan’, Mindy joined Markle to show her fellow mother how to host a children's party.
During the conversation, the actress called herself a "latchkey kid" who "grew up with a lot of fast food and TV tray dinners," listing off US chains Pollo Loco, Taco Bell, and Jack In The Box.
“I don't think anyone in the world knows that Meghan Markle has eaten Jack in the Box and loves it,” Mindy responded, making it seem like she was offended.
“It's so funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I'm Sussex now,” she said, trying to cover her grimace with a smile.
As Mindy looked confused, Markle continued: "You have kids and you go, no, I share my name with my children. I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to go. This is our family name. Our little family name."
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry considered dropping their ‘Sussex’ title
Meghan Markle often appears to be possessive of her ‘Sussex’ title, but earlier this month, several reports revealed that the couple once considered changing their family name to the birth name of his mother, Diana, as British officials delayed issuing passports for their two children.
During an in-person meeting between Prince Harry and his uncle Earl Spencer, the idea was made out of "sheer exasperation," according to the Guardian.
According to the publication, Earl was "enthusiastic and supportive of the name change."
The debate was rendered moot, however, when Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's UK passports were eventually granted, just days after the Sussexes' lawyers threatened to submit a data subject access request.
Adopting his mother's birth name would most likely have exacerbated the divide between Harry and the royal family, which shows no signs of healing.
