Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are eager to distance themselves from the royal family. However, Queen Elizabeth will make the final decision about the couple’s future.

Following their statement about their plans for 2020, reports claimed the couple felt they were being driven out of the royal family. While some suspect the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will lose their royal titles, a royal commentator claimed the couple may be able to hold onto the perk.

During a conversation on Nigel Farage’s LBC show, Phil Dampier revealed Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson may be the reason why Meghan and Harry keep their royal titles.

“Well, ultimately it is up to the Queen. I’ve got a feeling she won't strip them of the titles because they did that with both Fergie and Diana. They remained the Duchess of York and the Princess of Wales, but they had their HRH taken away,” he explained.

“I think in hindsight that was seen as a mistake because that caused resentment amongst both of them. Fergie certainly felt she didn’t get enough money in her divorce settlement.”

Dampier claimed Queen Elizabeth may fear the impact that striping Meghan and Prince Harry of their royal titles would have on her relationship with the couple. “So, I think the Queen would be reluctant to do that. I think she might feel that that was going to make things worse,” he said.

The royal author also noted that Harry and Meghan may not care about losing their titles since they didn’t give one to their son, Archie. “But they didn’t want a title for Archie, and he’s seventh in line to the throne, he’s above Anne, he’s above Andrew,” Dampier said.

“So they were kind of sending out a message themselves that they weren’t that bothered about titles. So it’s certainly there, it’s a potential sort of bargaining chip if you like, and a potential punishment,” he continued.

Although the palace hasn’t announced whether Meghan and Prince Harry will lose their titles, Queen Elizabeth released a statement on Monday that supported the couple’s decision to step back from their royal duties.

“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” the statement read.

“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family, while remaining a valued part of my family.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan (pictured in 2017) were banned from using the word "royal" by Queen Elizabeth. AFP / Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS