14 royals who lost or declined their titles: Prince Andrew, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry aren’t the only ones stripped of their status

Jan 23, 2022

These royals had their titles removed from them. Photos: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images, Reuters, TNS, AP, @princessanneprincessroyal/Instagram

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lost their titles after stepping down as senior royals, while Princess Diana’s was stripped following her divorce to Charles

UK’s Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson, Japan’s Princess Mako also gave up her royal status, as well as US$1 million, for love

Queen Elizabeth stripped her second son, Prince Andrew of his royal titles last week as a result of the ongoing sexual assault lawsuit against him brought by Virginia Roberts in New York State. This means Prince Andrew will no longer be known as His Royal Highness or have any royal military affiliations or charitable patronages. He will still be known as the Duke of York, a title gifted to him by his mother on his wedding day, and is still a prince of the United Kingdom.

But he is hardly the first royal to have his titles stripped from him. Andrew is the fifth royal in 26 years to have HRH title taken away. Let’s look at them and other examples from Britain, and beyond.

14 royals who lost or declined their titles: Prince Andrew, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry aren’t the only ones stripped of their status

1. Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson