Meghan Markle Faces Criticism for Continuing Use of HRH Title Despite Previous Agreement

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Meghan Markle Faces Criticism for Continuing Use of HRH Title Despite Previous Agreement

 

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has come under scrutiny once again after it was revealed she is still using her HRH title, despite a previous agreement with the royal family not to do so following her and Prince Harry’s departure from royal duties. The breach became public during a podcast interview posted on YouTube, where Meghan was interviewed by her friend Jamie Kern Lima, the founder of IT Cosmetics.

 

During the conversation, an image appeared showing a gift basket of ice cream and homemade strawberry sauce Meghan had sent to Kern Lima. Alongside the gift was a note, written on monogrammed paper, which read: “With the compliments of HRH the Duchess of Sussex.” This revelation reignited controversy, as Meghan and Harry had formally agreed not to use their HRH prefixes after stepping down as senior working royals in March 2020.

 

Following their exit, widely referred to as “Megxit,” an agreement with the late Queen stipulated that the couple would no longer use their HRH titles, particularly for any commercial purposes. In line with this decision, the Duke of Sussex had his HRH designation removed from the official royal family website, Royal.uk, in late 2023. On their biography pages, they are now listed simply as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, unlike others who retain the His or Her Royal Highness styles.

 

 

A Palace statement from 2020 had made the arrangement clear, stating that the couple “will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the royal family.” Since then, some critics have gone further, calling for Harry and Meghan to be stripped of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles altogether, a designation originally granted by Queen Elizabeth II upon their marriage in May 2018.

 

As part of the broader terms of their departure, Harry and Meghan also relinquished various patronages and military appointments, including Harry’s role as captain general of the Royal Marines.

 

In the same podcast interview, Meghan hinted at future literary ambitions. When asked about the possibility of writing another book, she said: “Yes maybe, for sure.” While she did not confirm plans for a memoir, she added: “People are often curious about whether I’d write a memoir but I’ve got a lot of life to live before I’m there.”

 

The idea of Meghan penning a memoir is not far-fetched. In a 2022 interview with The Cut, she had remarked, “I’ve never had to sign anything that restricts me from talking. I can talk about my whole experience and make a choice not to.” Her comments come in the wake of Prince Harry’s own memoir Spare, released in 2023, which stirred significant controversy, particularly over allegations that Prince William physically attacked him.

 

During the podcast, Meghan also reflected emotionally on her life in California with Harry, describing it as a "honeymoon period" following their tumultuous years in England. “You have to imagine, at the beginning it’s all butterflies — but then we immediately went into the trenches together. Right out of the gate, like six months into dating. So now seven years later, when you have a little bit of breathing space, you can just enjoy each other in a new way,” she said.

 

In an especially touching moment, Meghan broke down in tears while reading a heartfelt letter from her children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. The note said: “From Archie and Lili via Papa. We love your cooking. We love your pancakes and we love, love, love your hugs. You’re the best mummy and we love you.” Meghan commented on the British spelling of “mummy” rather than the American “mommy,” saying, “So sweet. I also love that it’s mummy, instead of mommy, which is very British.” Fighting back tears, she added, “I wasn’t expecting this, they’re just so great. This is why it’s so nice to have no make-up on, thank you.”

 

Meghan also revealed a touching family tradition, sharing that she sends her children an email every day to create a “time capsule” for them to revisit when they grow older.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Times  2025-04-30