Royal author questions if Prince Harry should keep royal titles: 'Nobody ever asked anyone in Sussex'

Royal author questions if Prince Harry should keep royal titles: 'Nobody ever asked anyone in Sussex'
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Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 28/04/2022

- 12:20

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:38

Norman Baker, in an exclusive interview with GB News, says 'nobody asked' the people of Sussex whether they want an association with Harry

A royal author has questioned why Prince Harry should keep his royal titles, particularly the Duke of Sussex moniker.

Norman Baker, in an exclusive interview with GB News, says "nobody asked" the people of Sussex whether they want an association with Harry.


He said: "I'm living in Sussex, I woke up one day to find we had Prince Harry, nobody ever asked anyone in Sussex whether they want Prince Harry.

"This is a rather medieval way of dealing with these matters, to just appoint people to parts of the country.

"But of course the dukedom can only be taken away by the Queen".

Norman Baker says 'nobody asked' the people of Sussex whether they want Prince Harry representing them.
Norman Baker says 'nobody asked' the people of Sussex whether they want Prince Harry representing them.
Image: GB News

Mr Baker says Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, should also lose his royal title, after the York City Council made the decision to remove the Duke's freeman of the city status.

He told GB News: "Prince Andrew is bad news all round, so why would you want to be associated with him?

"I hope very much that he will have his Duke of York title taken away".

Andrew is facing renewed calls for his Duke of York title to be removed after he lost his freeman status.

Lib Dem, Labour, Tory, Green and independent councillors came together to vote unanimously for the motion at York Racecourse on Wednesday, with members of the public joining in the chorus of condemnation for the duke.

Many of those who spoke at the 30-minute meeting said they wanted Andrew to relinquish his Duke of York title and remove what Labour councillor Aisling Musson called “his stain of an association with this city”.

Prince Andrew is facing renewed calls for his Duke of York title to be removed.
Prince Andrew is facing renewed calls for his Duke of York title to be removed.
CHRIS RADBURN

They said that, if the duke failed to act, the Queen or the Government should step in a remove the title.

Speaking after the meeting, Lib Dem Darryl Smalley, City of York Council’s executive member for culture, leisure & communities and proposer of the motion, said: “The Honorary Freedom of York is the highest honour we, as a city, can bestow on those who represent the very best of York. The honour is held by many notable and accomplished people who carry it with pride and responsibly.

A royal title removal must mean a statute passing the House of Commons and House of Lords and receiving royal assent.
A royal title removal must mean a statute passing the House of Commons and House of Lords and receiving royal assent.
Victoria Jones

“Having been stripped of his military roles and royal patronages by the Queen, we believe that it is right to remove all links that Prince Andrew still has with our great city.

“I was pleased to see councillors of all parties support this motion and make it clear that it is no longer appropriate for Prince Andrew to represent York and its residents.

“The removal of this honorary title sends the right message that we as a city stand with victims of abuse.

“The next logical step is now for Prince Andrew to do the right thing and relinquish his Duke of York title.

“If he fails to do so, the Government and Buckingham Palace must step in to remove his title to finally end Prince Andrew’s connection to York.”

The honorary freedom of the city is bestowed to recognise notable service by local residents, to distinguished people, and to royalty, the council has said.

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