Brits Want Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Stripped Of 'Sussex' Title

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have already opened up about their woes as a royal couple in a heartrending BBC interview, but it looks like the British public could only care less. Now, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are hitting another snag in their marriage as thousands of British locals go up against them, seeking to strip them of their Sussex titles.

Earlier this week, at least 3,800 British residents signed a petition urging Brighton and Hove council to stop Prince Harry and Meghan from using their respective royal titles, “Duke of Sussex” and “Duchess of Sussex.” The petition claims that residents of Sussex should not refer to the couple as their Duke and Duchess as doing so only symbolizes their submission to oppression by the wealthy elites.

According to reports, Brighton councilors are set to debate the merits of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal titles on Thursday. Those who signed the petition claimed that their use of the Sussex titles is “morally wrong and disrespectful to the county of East Sussex,” pointing out that their titles were unfairly acquired.

“We call on Brighton and Hove council to not refer to these individuals by such titles which we believe to be entirely non-democratic and symbolic of the oppression of the general public by the wealthy elite,” the petition reads. “Neither will Brighton Councilinvite or entertain these individuals nor afford them any hospitality or courtesies above and beyond that of an ordinary member of the public.”

Prince Harry and Meghan received their titles from Queen Elizabeth II, soon after they tied the knot in May 2018. The first time the royal couple visited Sussex County was later that year, when they went to see the people of Chichester, Bognor, Brighton and Peacehaven. Since then, Prince Harry and Meghan have incorporated their “Duke and Duchess of Sussex” titles into their public royal work, even naming their charity “The Sussex Royal Foundation.”

Meanwhile, Charles Ross, the British resident who created the petition, admitted in a recent interview that he hadn’t expected the petition to receive as much local support. “I have been a long-standing republican, but I didn’t take up the cause—I think it was bored one evening, if you want me to be honest,” he said.