Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has sparked renewed debate over her use of the "HRH" (His/Her Royal Highness) title, despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
A recently surfaced gift note from Markle to friend Jamie Kern Lima, dated a year ago, included the HRH styling, raising questions about whether this act breached the couple's agreement with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
According to palace guidelines issued following their royal exit, the couple agreed not to use their HRH titles publicly or commercially.
However, sources close to Markle assert that the note was for personal use and not a public representation, maintaining compliance with the original agreement.
Despite their claims, the couple reportedly asks for their HRH titles to be used during international travel.
Queen Elizabeth had rejected their proposed "half in, half out" approach to royal duties, emphasizing a full break from royal responsibilities.
Following their departure, their HRH titles were removed from the Royal Family's official website.
The ongoing debate over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal titles has resurfaced following Meghan's use of the "HRH" styling in a personal gift.
Despite stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, the couple retains the Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, which were granted by Queen Elizabeth in 2018.
However, the removal of a dukedom would require an act of Parliament; it cannot be done unilaterally by the current or future monarch. Though the “Removal of Titles Bill” has been discussed, it has not yet passed into law.
While Harry and Meghan agreed not to use their "His/Her Royal Highness" styling for public or commercial uses, Meghan’s recent informal use was in a personal context.
The HRH honorific could potentially be withdrawn by the monarch without judicial review, while by birthright, Prince Harry retains his prince title which is generally not removed.
The topic continues to evoke public interest, particularly concerning the boundaries of royal authority and legislative processes tied to titles.
The controversy has also drawn reactions from public figures. On a recent episode of The View, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin criticized Meghan Markle for referring to herself as "Her Royal Highness" in a personal note accompanying a gift of homemade jam to a friend.
Griffin found the gesture "cringe," especially as Markle and Prince Harry stepped away from royal duties five years ago. Co-host Sara Haines agreed the use of the title among friends seemed odd, likening it to unnecessary formalities in casual settings.
However, Sunny Hostin defended Markle, stating that the terms of stepping down only restrict public use of the title, not private usage like in a gift to a friend.
Hostin highlighted the inconsistency of royal rules, referencing how Queen Elizabeth’s wishes regarding Camilla Parker Bowles’ title were later changed by King Charles III.
The debate continues to highlight the complexities surrounding royal titles and the expectations placed on former members of the royal family.
A recently surfaced gift note from Markle to friend Jamie Kern Lima, dated a year ago, included the HRH styling, raising questions about whether this act breached the couple's agreement with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
According to palace guidelines issued following their royal exit, the couple agreed not to use their HRH titles publicly or commercially.
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| Credit: Instagram/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex |
However, sources close to Markle assert that the note was for personal use and not a public representation, maintaining compliance with the original agreement.
Despite their claims, the couple reportedly asks for their HRH titles to be used during international travel.
Queen Elizabeth had rejected their proposed "half in, half out" approach to royal duties, emphasizing a full break from royal responsibilities.
Following their departure, their HRH titles were removed from the Royal Family's official website.
The ongoing debate over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal titles has resurfaced following Meghan's use of the "HRH" styling in a personal gift.
Despite stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, the couple retains the Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, which were granted by Queen Elizabeth in 2018.
However, the removal of a dukedom would require an act of Parliament; it cannot be done unilaterally by the current or future monarch. Though the “Removal of Titles Bill” has been discussed, it has not yet passed into law.
While Harry and Meghan agreed not to use their "His/Her Royal Highness" styling for public or commercial uses, Meghan’s recent informal use was in a personal context.
The HRH honorific could potentially be withdrawn by the monarch without judicial review, while by birthright, Prince Harry retains his prince title which is generally not removed.
The topic continues to evoke public interest, particularly concerning the boundaries of royal authority and legislative processes tied to titles.
The controversy has also drawn reactions from public figures. On a recent episode of The View, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin criticized Meghan Markle for referring to herself as "Her Royal Highness" in a personal note accompanying a gift of homemade jam to a friend.
Griffin found the gesture "cringe," especially as Markle and Prince Harry stepped away from royal duties five years ago. Co-host Sara Haines agreed the use of the title among friends seemed odd, likening it to unnecessary formalities in casual settings.
However, Sunny Hostin defended Markle, stating that the terms of stepping down only restrict public use of the title, not private usage like in a gift to a friend.
Hostin highlighted the inconsistency of royal rules, referencing how Queen Elizabeth’s wishes regarding Camilla Parker Bowles’ title were later changed by King Charles III.
The debate continues to highlight the complexities surrounding royal titles and the expectations placed on former members of the royal family.
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