Sussex locals petition council to boycott Harry and Meghan's royal titles

A UK council will debate the merits of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal titles after a petition signed by residents of Sussex county declared them "unfairly acquired".

The petition, signed by thousands of locals, claims Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's use of the titles is "morally wrong and disrespectful to the county of East Sussex".

"We call on Brighton and Hove council to not refer to these individuals by such titles which we believe to be entirely non-democratic and symbolic of the oppression of the general public by the wealthy elite," the statement reads.

"Neither will Brighton Council invite or entertain these individuals nor afford them any hospitality or courtesies above and beyond that of an ordinary member of the public."

The Telegraph reports Brighton and Hove council will consider the petition on Thursday, as it received 3800 signatures, well over the amount required for a council debate.

The council cannot strip Harry and Meghan of their titles, as they were granted to the couple by the Queen.

Though the petition received widespread local support, Charles Ross, the man who created it, admits he hadn't expected it to progress so far.

LISTEN: 9Honey's royal podcast The Windsors takes a look at Meghan's life in the British monarchy. (Post continues.)

"I have been a long-standing republican, but I didn't particularly take up the cause — I think I was bored one evening, if you want me to be honest," he told The Telegraph.

Ross added he started the petition "off [his] own back" and was not associated with any political groups or movements.

Regardless, as 'principal petitioner', he will be required to deliver a three-minute speech when council considers the matter.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received their royal titles from Queen Elizabeth II when they married in May 2018.

They visited Sussex county for the first time later that year, visiting prominent locations in the region including Chichester, Bognor, Brighton and Peacehaven.

Harry and Meghan have since incorporated their titles into their public royal work, naming their charitable organisation The Sussex Royal Foundation.

The couple were the first to be granted the Sussex dukedom in more than two centuries; Prince Augustus Frederick of the House of Hanover was named Duke of Sussex in 1801.