Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain distant from the royal family, with no communication between them and either King Charles or Prince William.

Despite this estrangement, one royal expert claims the Prince of Wales may have actually protected them from a potentially public humiliation.

Though they now live in California and are no longer working royals, Harry and Meghan continue to use their titles — the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — which were granted to them by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018.

The ongoing use of these titles has stirred controversy, especially as critics question whether Prince William might one day revoke them when he becomes king.

Officially, Harry and Meghan cannot use their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) styles for commercial purposes since stepping down from royal duties.

Still, they consistently present themselves using their Duke and Duchess titles. While calls to strip them of these honors persist from detractors, King Charles has shown no indication he plans to take such action.

However, speculation lingers around Prince William possibly adopting a different stance. Royal expert Jennie Bond believes it’s doubtful, citing the complexity and potential fallout of such a move.

“Granted, there seems to be a public appetite for stripping them of their titles,” Bond told the Mirror, “but I think it’s unlikely that William would choose to do this. It would seem, and in fact would be, quite vindictive. There is also the question of whether a monarch can indeed do this.”