Prince William’s Rumoured Plan Could Strip Some Royals of Titles as Family Faces Fresh Turmoil
Prince William could eventually pursue a major shake up that would see some members of the wider Royal Family lose their titles amid fresh turmoil, according to a royal expert discussing how the monarchy might change when the Prince of Wales becomes King.
The speculation comes during another sensitive period for the royals, following controversies surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, continuing tensions involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Charles Spencer’s forthcoming Princess Diana memoir.
Despite the renewed attention on family disagreements, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggested William remains focused on his long-term plans for the monarchy and could favour a smaller institution after succeeding his father.
Fitzwilliams told The Express that the continuing estrangement between William and Harry could potentially influence decisions about the structure of the Royal Family under a future King William.
“As long as the rift with William persists, they reportedly haven’t spoken for years, there remains the possibility that when he becomes King, he will reduce the size of the Royal Family,” Fitzwilliams said.
According to the commentator, such a change could potentially affect Harry and Meghan as well as their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
He also named Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, meaning six royals in total were identified in his assessment: Harry, Meghan, Archie, Lilibet, Beatrice and Eugenie.
“They and their children and Beatrice and Eugenie could lose their titles,” Fitzwilliams claimed, although no official plan from William confirming such a move has been announced.
Fitzwilliams suggested losing titles could affect the commercial or public appeal surrounding some family members, while acknowledging that their existing profiles would probably remain significant for a considerable period.
The speculation has emerged as the monarchy simultaneously deals with renewed scrutiny surrounding Diana after her brother Charles Spencer began revealing details from Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
Among Spencer’s most striking claims is his allegation that the then-Prince Charles said “we’ll forget her soon enough” during an emotional disagreement following Diana’s death.
Buckingham Palace responded unusually strongly to the disputed recollections, saying the King was mindful that “fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory” even many years after a devastating loss.
Spencer has rejected the Palace’s challenge to his recollections, leaving the two sides publicly divided while William and Harry have so far avoided directly entering the disagreement between their father and uncle.
For now, the prospect of six royals losing their titles remains expert speculation rather than confirmed Palace policy. Any future restructuring under William would require navigating complex constitutional and legal questions, but Fitzwilliams’ comments highlight the continuing debate over how different the Royal Family could eventually look under the next reign.
