Meghan used her HRH title on a gift basket to a friend, sparking controversy.
Meghan used her HRH title on a gift basket to a friend, sparking controversy.
Meghan has been using her HRH title privately, despite an agreement not to use it publicly.
The Duchess of Sussex’s use of the title on gifts and letters has caused controversy.
Buckingham Palace had removed the titles from the royal family’s website, but Meghan believes private use is allowed.
The Duchess of Sussex has been using her HRH title privately for years, the Telegraph understands.
Meghan caused controversy this week when an image of a gift basket she had sent to a friend, adorned with a printed message from “HRH The Duchess of Sussex”, was shown on a podcast.
It appeared to be a contravention of 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”.
Elizabeth II had strongly opposed the “half in and half out” model proposed by the couple when they stepped back from royal duties, and as such, their titles were put into abeyance.
Their titles remain, and they are free to use them in private, sources close to them insisted.
It is understood the Duchess has referred to herself as HRH ever since they relocated to the US on private letters, gifts and invitations.
When they travel abroad, the couple are also said to request their HRH titles be used.
One source said it was an attempt to “feel relevant”.
Meghan published an image on Instagram earlier this month of a note from Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s Vice-Prime Minister, that addressed her with her HRH title. She had no apparent qualms that it represented a breach of any deal.
The note began: “Your Royal Highness, I would like to express my sincere thanks for everything your family is doing for Ukraine.”
Meghan Markle got emotional speaking about her family when she sat down for a chat on "The Jamie Kern Lima Show".
Kern Lima showed an image of a “gift basket” of ice cream and homemade strawberry sauce she had received from Meghan with an accompanying note printed on monogrammed paper that read: “With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex”.
The Duchess said: “I just made it quick because we had a lot of strawberries at the time. I just knew that even if we never talked about it, that it would brighten your day.
Meghan has gone on to sell jars of strawberry jam as part of her As Ever lifestyle brand, making them her signature product.
Her appearance on Kern Lima’s podcast involved notable promotion of the business as she revealed that her next batch of products would revolve around “hostess gifts and hospitality”.
The Duchess’s ongoing use of her HRH title will probably raise questions about what constitutes the personal as opposed to public, and what she has to gain by referring to herself as Her Royal Highness.
One source noted the blurring of any lines would hardly help mend bridges between the two branches of the family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have railed against the royal institution since moving abroad, insisting they wanted to live independent lives free from the shackles of protocol and expectation.
She has since confirmed she swapped her maiden name, Markle, for Sussex as soon as she married Prince Harry in 2018.
Despite breaking ranks with the institution, the couple were keen to ensure that Archie and Lilibet, their children, were styled Prince and Princess.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their kids Archie and Lilibet. Photo / The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
HRH status is usually conferred on senior working royals.
The Duke of York was banned from using his HRH title when he was stripped of his military and charitable affiliations after the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The honorific was also taken from Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, and Edward VIII after his abdication.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have retained their titles, having had them from birth, despite not being working royals.
