Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is said to want his children Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, to have the option to be working royals when they are older
Daniel Windham and Jasmine Carey
10:04 ET, 23 Jun 2025
Prince Harry and Prince William(Image: Paul Grover – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Despite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping back from Royal duties in 2020, it appears they’re keeping the option open for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to embrace Royal roles in the future. Since their departure from Royal life five years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex haven’t held back in expressing their critiques of the monarchy.
Yet, despite their outspoken stance on the institution, they seem eager for their children to have the opportunity to engage in Royal duties if they choose to do so later on. This sentiment was highlighted earlier this month in The Guardian, which reported that Prince Harry wishes to retain the HRH titles for his offspring, allowing them the freedom to opt into a life of Royal service.
While Harry, aged 40, may desire these options for his children, the feeling doesn’t seem to be reciprocated across the pond in the UK.
Hello! magazine has reported that the future of the monarchy and the allocation of HRH titles could see further alterations under Prince William, aged 43, when he ascends the throne, reports the Express.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are ‘unlikely’ to be working royals, it has been reported(Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images and Instagram/ @meghan)
It’s also anticipated that William will follow in the footsteps of his father, King Charles, aged 76, in maintaining a more streamlined Royal Family.
Consequently, the likelihood of Harry’s children taking on working Royal responsibilities seems “unlikely”.
The Sunday Times reports that William intends to “tidy up” certain aspects of the monarchy when he ascends to the throne, which might involve formally stripping his estranged brother, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, along with their children, of their HRH titles.
According to The Sunday Times, the notion that Archie and Lilibet could retain their HRH styles or participate in Royal duties when they grow older has sparked “bemusement in royal circles”.
Prince William and Prince Harry are reportedly not on talking terms(Image: DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
William himself has not publicly commented on this matter and has steered clear of even acknowledging the rumoured feud with his brother Harry, including reports that the two are no longer speaking.
Instead, the heir apparent has remained dedicated to his Royal duties, subtly hinting at how he plans to rule as King, including doing Royal duties “with maybe a smaller R”.
The Prince clarified this during a Royal visit to Cape Town last year, expressing his desire to lead with “empathy” and concentrate on “helping people”.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are ‘unlikely’ to be working royals, it has been reported(Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images and Instagram/ @meghan)