A CAMPAIGN has been launched to strip the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of their link to the county.

Brighton resident Charles Ross has called for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to have their titles removed.

Mr Ross said he rejected the couple’s Sussex title as it was non-democratic and a sign of oppression.

His campaign, which so far only has six signatures including his own, is also calling on Brighton and Hove to ban the royals from visiting.

Regardless of the lack of support, the city council will be presented the petition before a full council meeting on October 24.

The petition would need 1,250 signatures to be debated by councillors.

The petition reads: “We the undersigned petition Brighton and Hove Council to reject the usage of the titles Duke of Sussex and Duchess of Sussex by the individuals Henry Windsor and Rachel Meghan Markle as morally wrong and disrespectful to the county of East Sussex.

“As residents of Brighton and Hove 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.

“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 petition aims to establish a precedent that Brighton and Hove Council will no longer afford official hospitality to those with royal or aristocratic titles nor make usage of those titles in official documents as these titles are arbitrarily and unfairly acquired.”

On May 19 2018, it was announced that Prince Harry would become Duke of Sussex to mark his wedding to Meghan Markle who then became the first Duchess of Sussex.

The title is largely ceremonial and brings no specific financial benefit to the county but many believe the link raises the county’s profile.

The royal couple made their first official visits to their dukedom in October, visiting Brighton’s Royal Pavilion, the Joff youth centre in Peacehaven and Chichester’s Edes House.

After the couple were bestowed the title officials and tourism bosses were queueing up to welcome them.

Hove MP Peter Kyle, lead councillor for tourism Alan Robbins and the Bishop of Chichester all sang their praises calling them “great example” and a “youthful couple reflecting the diversity of Brighton and Hove”.

The royal couple have been contacted for comment.