Norman Baker Urges Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice to Follow Prince Harry and Relinquish Titles

Norman Baker has urged Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice to relinquish their HRH titles if they pursue independent careers, arguing in comments to GB News ahead of his book on royal finances that they should choose between private enterprise and royal duties.

The former Liberal Democrat minister praised Prince Harry for building a life outside the institution into which he was born. Baker's position was that royals should be free to leave official duties, but should also surrender their titles if they choose that path.

Norman Baker Draws a Line on Royal Titles

Baker directed his criticism at the York sisters, arguing that their private careers should not sit alongside the privileges of royal status. His comments concerned what he believed their position should be, rather than an announced change to their titles or responsibilities.

'The reality is that Beatrice and Eugenie still retain their HRH titles, and really, if they want to go and work in the private sector or do their own thing, that for me is fine – as Harry and Meghan have done,' Baker told GBNews.

'But they can't have one foot in the camp of the Royal Family and one foot in the camp of private enterprise for themselves,' Baker added.

His comparison concerned the Sussexes' lives outside the monarchy. It did not establish that Harry and Meghan Markle had relinquished their titles.

Beyond Norman Baker's Comments, a Reported Apology

The supplied reporting also describes questions about Eugenie's relationship with the Sussexes. The Blast reported that a copy of Markle's children's book, The Bench, given to Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, after their son's birth had appeared on eBay.

According to that account, the book was listed for £19,999.99. It carried a handwritten message celebrating the couple's new chapter as parents and referring to Frogmore Cottage, where they lived.

The Blast reported that people close to Eugenie stated she personally apologised to Markle, explaining that she did not know how the book reached the website. That account does not establish who listed the gift or how it left the couple's possession.

The reported apology and circumstances of the listing cannot be independently verified from the supplied material.

Norman Baker's Harry Comparison and Family Claims

Separate reporting by The Blast attributed claims about Eugenie's growing distance from Harry and Markle to an unnamed insider. The source described the situation as a 'huge disappointment' for the Sussexes and claimed Eugenie and Brooksbank had avoided meeting them despite living closer.

The publication reported that the couples had previously enjoyed private Halloween outings and later purchased properties near each other in Portugal. Its source claimed Markle had hoped they would spend more time together once distance was no longer an obstacle.

The Blast also reported unnamed insiders' claims that the Sussexes disagreed over Christmas plans. Markle reportedly preferred a quiet holiday in the United States with her mother, Doria Ragland, while Harry reportedly wanted to celebrate in Britain with members of the Royal Family.

Those accounts remain unverified, and the supplied material does not identify the Christmas year or establish the couple's location when the claims were reported. The Blast also attributed to insiders the claim that Prince William opposed an invitation for Harry and Markle to join the family celebration.