Featured Image Credit: Alastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Prince William, Royal Family, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie, UK News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Prince William, Royal Family, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie, UK News
After Prince Andrew was last week forced to renounce his royal titles over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a royal expert has said five other royals could suffer a similar fate soon.
While Prince Andrew said in a statement he would 'no longer use' his royal title, he retains his dukedom and remains a prince. It would require an act of parliament to strip him of these titles.
ITV reports that Buckingham Palace is currently reluctant to use time in parliament to table the necessary vote to formally strip Andrew of his titles - which would need to go through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
But according to royal expert Tom Sykes, Prince William does not have these qualms and plans to formally strip Andrew of his dukedom and HRH title in the first weeks of his reign, and five other royals could reportedly face the same treatment.
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Speaking to The Daily Beast, Sykes said: "Prince William will strip Prince Andrew, along with all other non-working royals, of their HRHs and princely titles when he ascends to the throne, friends and allies of the Prince have [said]."
He added: "The dramatic change will be effected by an executive royal order known as 'letters patent' ratified by Parliament in the early weeks of the reign of King William V."
So which prince and princesses are in trouble?
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Despite not being associated with their father's sexual abuse scandal, both Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could be at risk of having their titles taken away by cousin William in the near future.
This is because they are not working royals.
In fact, mother-of-two Beatrice, 37, works as a strategist for the tech firm Afiniti, whilst Eugenie, 35 - also a mother-of-two - works as a director of a Mayfair art gallery called Hauser & Wirth.
Under William, Sykes says they will no longer be princesses and be stripped of their HRH titles.
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More controversially, William apparently plans to takes his own brother's royal titles away.
For those in need of a reminder, 43-year-old William has remained somewhat estranged from younger brother Harry, since the 41-year-old announced in 2020 that he and wife Meghan Markle would be resigning from their royal duties.
Citing mistreatment from a number of senior royals - and accusing both William and wife Kate Middleton of 'bullying' the former Suits actress specifically - the pair then fled to the United States, where they've lived in Montecito, California ever since.
Given, however, that neither Harry nor Meghan, 44, are not current working royals, it wouldn't be unreasonable for William to take away their titles upon becoming king. Although, it would be quite a kick in the teeth.
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Sykes - citing royal sources - said: "Meghan and Harry will also see their dukedoms and HRHs formally revoked by the new king."
Despite their dad's decision step down as a working royal, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, inherited 'Prince' and 'Princess' titles upon their births
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But King Charles' grandchildren might not be able to keep these titles if William has his way, but he's apparently going to be more lenient with them than he is with their dad.
Sykes said: "William’s own children may have their titles informally 'parked' until they become adults and can decide for themselves if they want to be full-time working royals or lead lives as private citizens."
Tyla has contacted Buckingham Palace for a comment.