Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were criticised for trying to benefit from their royal links despite quitting the Firm five years ago. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal titles became the subject of discussion this week after one of Meghan’s pals shared a picture of a card featuring her HRH title.
The incident occurred during Meghan’s podcast interview with Jamie Kern Lima. The entrepreneur shared a picture of a gift basket sent to her by the Duchess last year, which included a card reading, “With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.” Meghan’s reps denied late Monday that the Duchess was still using her HRH title, but on Tuesday, sources close to her said she only uses it privately.
Now a royal commentator has now blasted the Sussex couple and said they will not “cease to exploit the very institution they left behind”.
The Mirror’s royal editor, Russell Myers, said the latest incident has made it “apparent” that the Sussex couple still “rely heavily on the royal connection”. He wrote: “What has become apparent after five years of this process, is both Meghan and Harry still rely heavily on the royal connection they fought so heavily to rid themselves of.
Mr Myers added: “Whether Harry is considering penning a follow-up to his explosive memoir, or fighting his father’s government in court for taxpayer-funded security, it runs deep.
“Meghan too finds herself accused of trading on the titles they were explicitly warned against doing, in order to market her latest commercial ventures.”
The royal commentator noted that the Sussexes quit the Firm and moved to the US to “build a life for themselves” and that begrudging that opportunity is “worthless and unfair”.
But he said: “Meghan’s representatives have suggested the couple do not use the HRH publicly, even though their titles remain.
“However, the couple’s claims that ‘service is universal’ and constant talk of authenticity have worn thin when they won’t cease to exploit the very institution they left behind.
“Harry and Meghan may then find the royal connection they so desperately want to preserve is their undoing in the court of public opinion.”