A FORMER MP has joined calls for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to be stripped of their royal titles after they quit their duties. Norman Baker demanded the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should hand back the millions of pounds of public money spent renovating their home Frogmore Cottage. And the Lib Dem MP fumed […]
A FORMER MP has joined calls for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to be stripped of their royal titles after they quit their duties.
Norman Baker demanded the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should hand back the millions of pounds of public money spent renovating their home Frogmore Cottage.
And the Lib Dem MP fumed “you can’t be one foot in, one foot out” as the couple announced they would be splitting their time between the UK and North America.
He has joined a string of critics who have accused Meghan and Harry of wanting to “have their cake and eat it”.
The couple sensationally announced they would work towards being “financially independent” – but are still retaining certain royal privileges.
This includes Frogmore House – as well as the £2million-a-year they receive from Prince Charles’ Duchy of Cornwall estate to find 95 per cent of their foundation.
Meghan and Harry will be losing their £2million Sovereign Grant – but will keep their £600,000 royal protection.
Mr Baker, who remains a member of the Privy Council, told the Express: “You are either a member of the royal family or you are not.”
And the MP, who was Home Office minister during the coalition government, said Harry is entitled to become a “private citizen” – but cannot do so with the “state paying for him”.
Mr Baker demanded: “He should give the money back spent on Frogmore Cottage and pay himself for the jets between the UK and America. And pay for his security.”
Meghan and Harry said on their new Sussex Royal website they are planning to become financially independent as they “value the ability to earn a professional income”, which they not currently allowed to do.
But eyebrows have been raised over how independent the couple will be as they still continue to enjoy perks that only come with being a royal.
Critics have argued the pair should not receive any any publicly-generated funding if they are stepping back from their senior roles.
And Republic, which is against the monarchy, said they should renounce their titles so they do not benefit from them.
Graham Smith, chief executive, said: “My own view is that they should not be hanging on to all their titles if they don’t want to do the job.
‘They can’t have it both ways – keeping the perks but not wanting to stay and do the work. There’s a long history of royals taking titles and doing nothing else with them.”
Piers Morgan also called for the pair to be stripped of their titles and branded them ‘Kardashian-wannabes’.
Buckingham Palace admitted discussions with the couple will be “complicated” as they “carve out” their new roles away from the Royal Family.
The pair posted on Instagram they plan to “step back” from royal duties and split their time between Britain and North America – with Canada expected to be their second home.
The couple say they will be “financially independent” in their new lives, but will still support the Queen.
