The royal website has made a significant change to the positioning of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s profiles, causing speculation of a major snub.
Previously, their profiles held a prominent position on the page, but they have now been moved down, aligning them with Prince Andrew.
This shift in placement has raised questions about their standing within the royal family.
The royal website is structured in order of importance, and if viewed on a mobile device, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla are displayed at the top, followed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine.
Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, come next, followed by Princess Anne, known for her hard work and dedication.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra, all working royals, follow suit.
Finally, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear on the page, preceding the disgraced Duke of York.
However, their position is closer to Charles, Camilla, William, and Catherine than it is to the top of the list.
Although this change has sparked rumors of new tensions within the royal family, no official announcement has been made regarding any alteration in Harry and Meghan’s positions.
Speculation suggests that King Charles aims to streamline the royal family, prioritizing working members and potentially demoting Harry and Meghan accordingly.
Royal writer Richard Eadon referred to this change as a snub for Prince Harry and Meghan, highlighting their demotion on the royal website via Twitter.
The public response to their lowered position has been mixed.
Some individuals expressed satisfaction, stating that this is what the couple wanted.
Others defended Harry and Meghan, claiming that they are above the rest in the real world.
Meanwhile, certain social media users called for the couple to lose their royal titles, arguing that there should be a clear distinction between those who officially represent the monarchy and those who do not.
According to royal biographer Phil Dampier, King Charles is likely to make it clear to Harry and Meghan that they are no longer considered working royals and cannot hold a semi-official role.
Dampier suggests that the couple may be concerned about their diminishing presence within the royal family.
The uncertainty surrounding whether Archie and Lilibet will be granted prince and princess titles further indicates that they are not viewed as working royals.
This recent demotion on the palace website adds to the growing perception that their status is changing.
In his book, “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown,” royal author Valentin Lowe quotes a palace source who reveals that the late queen held a firm belief that the Sussexes should either fully commit to their royal duties or not be involved at all.
The queen maintained that if the couple were unwilling to adhere to the restrictions imposed on working members of the royal family, they would not be permitted to carry out official duties.
This uncompromising stance set by the queen left no room for negotiation.
Prior to the adjustments on the royal website, reports emerged suggesting that King Charles plans to exile his younger son, following in the footsteps of previous royals faced with similar situations.