King Charles III accused of delaying grandchildren’s passports over HRH title dispute

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced a six-month wait to obtain passports for their children, Archie and Lilibet, with royal titles, raising suspicions of reluctance from King Charles III to grant the HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) designation. The delay, contrasting with the standard three-week period for British minors, caused tensions with the British monarchy. The issue, reported by The Guardian, occurred in 2024 in the United States, where the couple has resided since 2020. The couple’s suspicion points to a possible attempt to limit their children’s royal titles, reigniting debates about their strained relationship with the monarchy. The news highlights a new chapter in the family disputes following Harry and Meghan’s withdrawal from royal duties.

The delay in issuing the documents caused significant discomfort for the couple. Harry and Meghan, living in Montecito, California, were anxiously awaiting the passports to secure British citizenship for Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 3, with the appropriate royal titles. The prolonged wait raised questions about Buckingham Palace’s influence in the process.

• Key points of the case:
  • Passport issuance took six months, against the usual three-week period.
  • The couple suspected obstruction by King Charles III.
  • The delay reignited public tensions with the British monarchy.

The situation reflects the complexity of the relationship between Harry, Meghan, and the royal family, marked by disagreements since the couple’s departure from the monarchy in 2020. The possibility of the passports not including the HRH term was seen as an attempt to restrict the children’s royal privileges.

Origin of the title dispute
The controversy over Archie and Lilibet’s titles began after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, when Charles III ascended the throne. Under rules set by King George V in 1917, a monarch’s grandchildren are automatically entitled to prince and princess titles, as well as the HRH designation. However, the transition to these titles was not immediate. Until March 2023, the children were referred to as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor on the official royal website.

The confirmation of the prince and princess titles came only on March 8, 2023, during the announcement of Lilibet’s baptism in California. The couple’s statement referred to their daughter as “Princess Lilibet Diana,” surprising Buckingham Palace, which had not been informed of the decision. Royal experts, such as Tessa Dunlop and Russell Myers, noted that the monarchy was caught off guard, indicating a lack of coordination between the parties.

Reactions to the passport delay
The six-month wait for the passports was perceived by Harry and Meghan as a possible deliberate maneuver. Sources close to the couple said the delay fueled fears that King Charles III was hesitant to fully recognize Archie and Lilibet’s HRH titles. This perception was strengthened by the history of tensions, including public criticisms of the royal family made by the couple in documentaries, interviews, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” released in 2023.

The case also sparked speculation in the British press. Newspapers like the Daily Mail and The Telegraph reported that Harry considered adopting his mother Princess Diana’s surname, Spencer, for himself and his children if the passports were not issued with royal titles. The possibility was discussed with Charles Spencer, Harry’s uncle, underscoring the seriousness of the situation for the couple.

History of tensions with the monarchy
The relationship between Harry, Meghan, and the British royal family has been marked by friction since the so-called “Megxit” in January 2020, when the couple announced their withdrawal from royal duties. The decision was driven by issues such as media intrusion and a perceived lack of support from the monarchy, particularly toward Meghan. Since then, the couple has settled in the United States, where they founded the Archewell Foundation and live off commercial ventures, including Netflix and Spotify deals.

• Key events in the relationship with the royal family:
  • January 2020: Harry and Meghan step back from royal duties.
  • March 2021: Interview with Oprah Winfrey reveals tensions, including racist remarks about Archie’s skin color.
  • January 2023: Release of “Spare,” with criticisms of the royal family.
  • March 2023: Confirmation of prince and princess titles for Archie and Lilibet.

The passport delay is seen as another episode in this series of disagreements, with implications beyond bureaucracy.

Impact on the children’s privacy
Archie and Lilibet have been kept out of the spotlight by Harry and Meghan’s decision to prioritize their privacy. Photos of the children are rare, except for moments like the 2024 Christmas card, which showed them from behind, running toward their parents. The choice reflects the couple’s intent to shield them from the media exposure that marked Harry’s life since childhood.

The passport dispute, however, brought Archie and Lilibet’s names back into the spotlight, reigniting debates about their place in the monarchy. Despite their royal titles, the children do not perform official duties, living a life far from royal responsibilities in California.

The surname issue
Another aspect of the controversy involves the surname adopted by Archie and Lilibet. Since Charles III’s coronation in May 2023, the children have used the surname Sussex, breaking with the Mountbatten-Windsor tradition used by descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip since 1960. The change was seen as a milestone in family unification for Harry and Meghan but drew criticism from conservative sectors of the British press.

The possibility of adopting the Spencer surname, considered during the passport delay, was interpreted as Harry’s attempt to connect to his mother Princess Diana’s legacy. Though not implemented, the idea highlighted the depth of the conflict with the monarchy.

Relationship with King Charles III
The relationship between Harry and his father, King Charles III, remains strained. The monarch last saw his grandchildren during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 and reportedly maintains sporadic contact via video calls. The physical and emotional distance has been exacerbated by events such as Charles’s decision not to invite Meghan to Balmoral Castle during Elizabeth II’s death in 2022 and Harry’s absence from the Buckingham Palace balcony after the coronation.

Sources close to the king indicate he regrets the lack of closeness with Archie and Lilibet but prioritizes his royal duties. Charles’s cancer diagnosis, announced in 2024, added complexity, with Harry publicly expressing a desire to reconnect with his father, though with little progress so far.

British bureaucracy and passports
Passport issuance for British minors typically follows a swift process, with an average three-week turnaround. The six-month delay faced by Harry and Meghan raised questions about possible Buckingham Palace interventions. While no concrete evidence of obstruction exists, the couple’s perception was shaped by their history of distrust with the royal family.

• Steps in the UK passport issuance process:
  • Online or mail application, with submission of documents like birth certificates.
  • Verification of identity and citizenship.
  • Document issuance, typically within three weeks for minors.

The unusual delay in Archie and Lilibet’s case fueled speculation about the influence of Charles III or authorities close to the monarchy.

Public perspective and media
The British press has closely followed the case, with tabloids like The Sun and Daily Record highlighting the tension between Harry and the royal family. Social media posts, such as those by user @MarleyNeens, suggest some viewed the delay as a deliberate act by Charles to limit his grandchildren’s privileges. Others, like @boxmontessori, criticized the couple’s reaction as exaggerated.

Media coverage reflects the polarization around Harry and Meghan, with supporters defending their fight for recognition and critics accusing them of exploiting family conflicts to stay relevant.

Uncertain future for family ties
The passport episode underscores the distance between Harry, Meghan, and the British monarchy. Despite their royal titles, Archie and Lilibet live a reality far from the royal family, raised in an environment prioritizing privacy and independence. The resolution of the case, with the passports issued, did not erase the couple’s grievances, as they continue to face challenges in their relationship with Buckingham Palace.

The possibility of Charles visiting his grandchildren in California, considered in 2024, remains uncertain due to the monarch’s health and official schedule. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan remain focused on projects like the Archewell Foundation, maintaining their life in the United States as an alternative to the monarchy.