Passport Delays, Legal Battles, and the Sussexes’ Ongoing Royal Rift

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again in the spotlight—this time due to issues involving their children’s passports and continued legal challenges tied to their royal departure.

Passport Delays for Archie and Lilibet

According to The Guardian and BBC News, the couple faced months-long delays in getting updated British passports for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Despite applying through the UK’s expedited 24-hour service, their request was canceled due to a system failure, reportedly leaving them waiting up to five months.

Part of the holdup may have involved formal changes to the children’s names and titles. After King Charles III took the throne in 2022, the kids became eligible to use royal titles—Prince and Princess—based on longstanding tradition. In 2023, the family confirmed that Archie and Lilibet would go by “Sussex” in line with their parents’ titles.

No Official Word from Palace or Government

Neither the UK Home Office nor Buckingham Palace has commented on the passport situation, citing privacy and policy. The documents were eventually issued, but the ordeal highlighted how royal traditions can clash with modern bureaucracy—especially when part of the royal family lives abroad.

Harry’s Legal Fight Over Security

Meanwhile, Prince Harry recently lost a legal battle in the UK over security protections. A British court ruled that the government acted lawfully when it ended his taxpayer-funded police detail after he stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

Harry argued the decision left his family vulnerable and unfairly treated him compared to other royals. The court disagreed, but Harry’s legal team says the family’s ability to safely return to the UK is now in doubt.

Titles, Protocols, and a Complicated Future

Although Harry and Meghan gave up using “His/Her Royal Highness” titles in 2020, they still legally hold the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their children’s use of Prince and Princess reflects their royal lineage, even if official use of those titles—like on passports—remains a gray area.

Despite all this, Harry remains active in public service. His recent appearance at a digital safety forum in Colombia is part of his continued work through Archewell, the couple’s foundation.

What’s Next?

As the Sussexes continue life in California, tensions with the Royal Family remain unresolved. Prince Harry has said he’s open to reconciliation—but insists it must be built on honesty and healing. Legal rulings have clarified some policies, but whether personal relationships can be mended is still an open question.