Meghan Markle hits back in row over use of HRH title after agreement with late Queen
Meghan Markle’s team has addressed claims that she’s been using her royal title “Her Royal Highness” (HRH), despite agreeing to stop doing so when she and Prince Harry stepped down from their roles as senior royals in 2020. The controversy started after a gift card sent from Meghan to a friend appeared to include the HRH title.
The card read, “With compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex,” and was attached to a basket of homemade treats sent to her friend Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder of IT Cosmetics.
This caused confusion because back in early 2020, when Meghan and Harry decided to step away from their royal duties, they also agreed to no longer actively use the HRH titles.
Although they were allowed to keep the titles in name, they weren’t supposed to use them in any public or official way. This agreement came after conversations with Queen Elizabeth II and senior royal officials.
Despite the wording on the card, Meghan’s representatives say she does not use the HRH title and dismissed the idea that she’s trying to go against the agreement.
They emphasized that there was no legal ban on using the term, but it was a mutual understanding that they wouldn’t continue using royal titles in public after leaving their roles.
During the same podcast appearance where the card was mentioned, Meghan opened up about her relationship with Prince Harry. She said they’re in a kind of new “honeymoon phase,” enjoying some peace now that they’ve stepped away from royal pressures.
Meghan talked about how their relationship was serious early on, with the couple facing intense public attention and pressure just six months into dating. Now, seven years after they first met, she says they finally have time to enjoy each other more fully.
Meghan and Harry started dating in 2016, got married in 2018, and left their royal duties in 2020. Their decision created a lot of tension between Harry and other members of the royal family, including his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William. Despite the drama, Meghan says the couple is now in a happier and more relaxed place.
