What’s Queen Elizabeth’s Role In Stripping Princess Diana, Sarah Ferguson Of Titles?

Queen Elizabeth II played a vital role in stripping Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson of their royal titles.

When a woman marries a member of the royal family, she will get a royal title as in the case with Princess Diana, Ferguson, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. However, the Princess of Wales and Duchess of York lost their titles when they divorced their husbands, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, respectively.

According to Jess Sheldon, a journalist for Express, this is due to the letters patent — usually made by the monarch, president or head of state — issued in August 1996 about regulating post-divorce royal titles. The patent indicated that Her Majesty played an important role in stripping Princess Diana and Ferguson of their “Her Royal Highness” titles.

“The QUEEN has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 21st August 1996, to declare that a former wife (other than a widow until she shall remarry) of a son of a Sovereign of these Realms, of a son of a son of a Sovereign and of the eldest living son of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales shall not be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness,” the patent read.

According to Tina Brown in her 2007 biography “The Diana Chronicles,” the royal titles gave the People’s Princes and Ferguson some power. They were respected just like any other royals when they had their titles.

“Without the protection of HRH, Diana would be expected to bend the knee in the corridor of Kensington Palace every time she bumped into the Austrian neighbour she referred to as the U-Boat Commander – HRH Princess Michael of Kent,” Brown wrote.

Princess Diana saw how Ferguson’s life changed after she was stipped of her royal title. Prince Charles’ ex-wife did all she could to keep her royal title to the point that she appealed to Sir Robert Fellowes. Unfortunately, her request was denied.

However, Prince William promised the Princess of Wales that he would bring back his mother’s title when he becomes king. The Duke of Cambridge is expected to take over the monarchy after his father Prince Charles.