Meghan Markle has been accused of using her HRH title despite quitting the Royal Family five years ago “to stay relevant,” according to sources. The Duchess of Sussex was again the subject of discussion this week after an image of a gift basket she had sent to one of her close pals featured a card from “HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”
Although no laws were passed to prevent their use, the latest incident appeared to flout the agreement made with Buckingham Palace that they would stop using “Her Royal Highness” and “His Royal Highness” publicly after what was christened Megxit Day on March 31, 2020, when the couple officially stepped down. The Sussexes still retain the styles, with Harry having had his since birth, but they are essentially held in abeyance, as is the case for the Duke of York, who also no longer uses his HRH style.
Sources close to Meghan said she used her HRH style privately but not for commercial purposes, describing the basket as a “personal gift”.
But now, a new report by The Telegraph claimed that the Duchess has been using her HRH title “privately for years” despite agreeing not to do so in 2020.
The outlet claimed that Meghan has “referred to herself as HRH ever since they [the Sussexes] relocated to the US, on private letters, gifts and invitations”.
It also reported that when the couple travel abroad, they are said to request that their HRH titles be used, with one source saying it is an attempt to “feel relevant”.
Another source said that the blurring of any lines between what is personal and what is public “would hardly help mend bridges” between the two camps.
In January 2020, the late Queen issued a statement after Harry and Meghan announced they wanted to step down as senior royals, saying that “together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family”.
Buckingham Palace outlined “the new arrangement” for the “next chapter” in Harry and Meghan’s lives. It included the statement: “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the royal family.”
No documents were signed or laws passed, but the decision was seen as a blanket ban, with no suggestion that Harry and Meghan were permitted to use the style privately.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment.
