Meghan Markle accused of using HRH title ‘for years’ in private
Meghan Markle has been using her HRH title privately “for years”, according to new claims, despite an agreement with Buckingham Palace not to do so. The former working royal sparked controversy this week when an image of a gift basket she sent to a friend appeared on a podcast, bearing a printed message from “HRH…
Meghan Markle has been using her HRH title privately “for years”, according to new claims, despite an agreement with Buckingham Palace not to do so.
The former working royal sparked controversy this week when an image of a gift basket she sent to a friend appeared on a podcast, bearing a printed message from “HRH The Duchess of Sussex”.
The revelation has raised questions about the terms of the 2020 agreement when the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties.
The apparent contravention relates to an agreement made with Buckingham Palace in January 2020 that the Sussexes “will not use their titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal family.”
Meghan Markle accused of using HRH title ‘for years’ in private
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Queen Elizabeth II had strongly opposed the “half in and half out” model proposed by the couple when they stepped back from royal duties.
The late Queen reportedly told her grandson: “You work for the monarchy, the monarchy doesn’t work for you.”
Their titles were subsequently put into abeyance. Palace courtiers believed the couple had agreed not to use their titles in any form, “out of respect”.
The titles were subsequently removed from the Royal Family’s website. However, sources close to the Duke and Duchess insist they interpreted things differently.
Meghan Markle signed her letter with the royal sign-off: HRHInstagram / Jamie Kern LimaThey believe they simply agreed not to use HRH for commercial purposes. Their understanding is that their titles remain, and they are free to use them in private settings.
The Duchess has referred to herself as HRH “ever since they relocated to the US, on private letters, gifts and invitations”, according to reports in the Telegraph.
When travelling abroad, the couple are said to request that their HRH titles be used. One source told the outlet that this is an attempt to “feel relevant”.
Earlier this month, Meghan published an Instagram image of a note from Ukraine’s vice-prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, which addressed her with her HRH title.
Meghan Markle stepped down as a working royal in 2020PAThe Duchess’s ongoing use of her HRH title raises questions about what constitutes personal versus public usage.
One source noted that blurring these lines would hardly help mend bridges between the two branches of the family.
HRH status is typically conferred on senior working royals.
The Duke of York was banned from using his HRH title following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Prince Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020PA
The honorific was also taken from Diana, Princess of Wales, Sarah, Duchess of York, and Edward VIII after his abdication.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie retain their titles despite not being working royals.
Princess Anne famously declined titles for her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall.
