Harry and Meghan Fear King Charles Delayed Kids’ Passports Over Royal Titles

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been caught in a frustrating bureaucratic tangle over their children’s U.K. passports, with whispers pointing to King Charles III as the potential roadblock. The delay, stretching nearly six months for Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, fueled suspicions among the Sussexes that the hold-up was tied to the use of royal titles, specifically the HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) designation.

In a fit of exasperation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex even mulled over a dramatic pivot—changing their family surname to Spencer, honoring Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana. Harry reportedly sought counsel from his uncle, Earl Charles Spencer, on this bold move. However, the idea was shelved once the passports finally arrived, far beyond the standard three-week waiting period in the U.K.

Sources close to the couple suggest British officials dragged their feet, possibly due to objections over the children’s titles. There’s speculation that King Charles himself may have been reluctant to see Archie and Lilibet carry the HRH honorifics, especially as the passports would serve as legal proof of their royal status. Buckingham Palace, however, has firmly denied any interference in the process.

The Sussexes faced a string of excuses during the five-month ordeal, pushing Harry to consider alternative surnames if the use of ‘Sussex’ continued to be blocked. Legal pressure from the couple’s team, including a threat to demand access to data on the delays, reportedly spurred the eventual issuance of the documents.

While Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and no longer use their HRH titles, they’ve ensured their children retain this birthright. The royal family’s website reflects this, listing Archie and Lilibet with their princely titles. Harry’s intent seems clear: to preserve the option for his children to choose their path—whether as working royals or private citizens—when they come of age.

This saga underscores the lingering tensions between personal identity and royal protocol, a tightrope the Sussexes continue to navigate with every step.