Prince Harry and his citizenship are topics of debate recently. He and his wife, Meghan Markle, have been staying in the US for seven months now.
They started a new life in the US after deciding to step down as senior members of the royal family in March.
Queen Elizabeth II allowed them to maintain their HRH titles despite wanting to earn their own money and have more control over their lives.
However, they’re not allowed to use the titles when conducting business. Many people are outraged that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex still have their titles.
They want them stripped of their Duke and Duchess titles, as well as the HRH after numerous controversial statements and actions.
If Prince Harry becomes an American citizen, a royal expert believes he may no longer be known as the Duke.
Marlene Koenig believes that the 36-year-old Prince would “literally have to” give up his royal title.
However, there isn’t a law that prevents Prince Harry from being called the “Prince.”
She told Express UK, “There are at least two Americans who have inherited a baronetcy. You might not put that on your business card if you’re a carpenter, but it’s not against the law.”
Ms. Koenig thinks that once the dad-of-one chooses to become an American citizen, he needs to renounce his titles or allegiance.
According to the US Constitution, “No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.”
He would also face the additional burden of paying massive taxes in the US if he wishes to move forward with it.
However, Koenig believes that Prince Harry is still showing commitment to the royal family and his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. It is unlikely he will give up his titles.
Which means he may not apply for US citizenship.
But Prince Harry could follow a royal precedent established by one of Queen Victoria’s granddaughter in the early 20th century.
Princess Patricia of Connaught, the daughter of Prince Arthur of the UK. She gave up her titles when she married a naval commander in 1919.