The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may face renewed scrutiny as Buckingham Palace redefines royal roles.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again in the royal spotlight following King Charles and Prince William’s latest decision regarding Prince Andrew’s future. The move, which officially ends Andrew’s use of his remaining royal titles, has sparked speculation that the Sussexes could be next under review.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as working royals in 2020, continue to enjoy the privileges of their titles while living in California. However, their public criticism of the monarchy — from Harry’s memoir Spare to their televised interview with Oprah Winfrey — has only deepened the rift between them and senior royals, especially the Prince of Wales.
Buckingham Palace’s latest announcement adds fresh tension to the already strained royal dynamic. On October 17, the Palace released a statement from Prince Andrew confirming that he will no longer use any royal titles or honours, including the Duke of York. The decision follows renewed scrutiny over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
BREAKING: Prince Andrew voluntarily gives up ALL his titles.
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) October 17, 2025
He issues a statement:
“In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we
have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the
work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as… pic.twitter.com/oI23TFRPun
In the statement, Andrew said, “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.”
Although he continues to deny all allegations, Andrew’s departure from royal life has prompted fresh discussion about the future of other family members — particularly Harry and Meghan — and how long they might retain their own titles amid ongoing controversy.
